Chapter 3

He is very interested to hear of your plan to build a wooden house on your new piece of land, to be a home for the young and the aged--and also that is to be used as a home for poor children, to give them a change and rest during the summer. It will be a very good and excellent work to build this house--and Shoghi Effendi hopes that you will have great success with it, and that you will find it of the utmost use and benefit for those who are poor in the world's goods....

[From the Guardian:]

My dear co-workers:

Your sweet and touching message of loyalty and love has greatly cheered and encouraged me. I rejoice to learn of your steadfast love and devotion to our beloved Cause. I am greatly heartened by the thought of your constancy in service and your splendid achievements. I am deeply thankful for your aid and assistance in safeguarding and promoting the interests of the Cause. I will continue to pray for you, one and all, from the depths of my heart, that the Beloved may deepen your understanding, broaden your vision, remove obstacles from your way, and enable you to become the purest mirrors reflecting the beauty and radiance of the Divine Revelation.

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 3 APRIL 1929

3 April 1929

Dear Baha'i brothers and sisters:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your joint letter dated March 21st 1929 in which you extend to him hearty New Year greetings. He wishes me to reciprocate those sentiments and assure you of his prayers. He hopes that through your combined efforts this coming year will bring to the Cause, especially in that country, wonderful success. May God hear our prayers and grant us His blessings...

[From the Guardian:]

My dear co-workers:

I am deeply impressed by your message. I will assuredly remember you in my prayers, that your numbers may increase, your influence extend, your understand of the Cause deepen, and your efforts be richly blessed by our beloved and departed Master. Persevere and study the Teachings. Rest assured that He will continue to reinforce your endeavours and enable you to realize your heart's desire.

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 4 APRIL 1930

4 April 1930

Dear Mrs. Brauns:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated March 22nd 1930, as well as the enclosed note signed by a number of the friends. Shoghi Effendi hopes that the Master's spirit will assist you and guide you through these days of great tests.

There is always an important difference between friends and tested friends. No matter how precious the first type may be, the future of the Cause rests upon the latter. Up to the present the German friends were considered as loving Baha'is, from now on they can be ranked as tested ones.

In every country where such difficulties arise, they generally end with added energy and more intensive service of the Cause. Shoghi Effendi hopes that in Germany also Mrs. White's activities will only arouse the friends and make them redouble their energy. They can now see what enemies the Cause has to confront and how essential it is to strengthen its following.

In the Bayan the Bab says that every religion was meant to be universal and also deserved to become so. The only reason why they have all failed to stand up to that mark was due to the inability of the followers who where entrusted with that task. Let us endeavour lest we also fail to realize that ideal which Baha'u'llah has set before us.

Please convey to all the friends Shoghi Effendi's loving greetings and assure them that during his moments of prayer he will ask God for their guidance and help....

[From the Guardian:]

My dear and precious co-workers:

I am so pleased to have received your noble assurance of faith and loyalty to the Cause. These days of storm and stress will serve to invigorate the Cause, purify and consolidate its foundations.

Persevere in your efforts, and be assured of my prayers. The Master will surely fortify, guide and bless His loyal, faithful and persevering loved ones. I trust that my last circular letter which I sent to Germany a week ago, will clarify the vision and deepen the understanding of the friends. May Baha'u'llah's almighty arms surround you and fulfill your hearts' desire.

Lovingly and affectionately, Shoghi

LETTER OF 4 APRIL 1930

4 April 1930

Dear friends:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated March 25th 1930. He hopes and prays that you will stand firm in these days of tests and appreciate the light and seek it steadfastly. Miss Wright comes from a country where the friends have at several occasions been put to test and therefore she appreciates the difficulties that the friends are confronting. Shoghi Effendi hopes, that coming from the Holy Land she will import to you the spirit she obtained at the Holy Thresholds.

Ever since the inception of the Cause we have been experiencing constant attacks. Sometimes they came from outside. Other times they came from souls most trusted and loved. In every case however they have proven to be for the good of the Faith. It is such events that arouse the friends to added service.

Shoghi Effendi hopes that as a result of Mrs. White's activities the friends will become more united and feel to a greater extent the importance of their task. Perhaps, if we had endeavoured more, if we had sacrificed to a greater extent, if, following the explicit wish of the Master, we had sought to spread the Cause even more than we have done, Mrs. White and her like could not criticise us to such an extent and say that the administration has killed the spirit. Let us therefore take a lesson from what has passed and render to the Cause services still unseen in the history of the movement.

In closing may I assure you of Shoghi Effendi's prayers and loving greetings,...

[From the Guardian:]

My dearly-beloved friends:

The expression of your loyalty and perseverance has rejoiced my heart. You are truly the heroic pioneers of the Cause of God. I will supplicate for each one of you at the Beloved's Shrine, that your understanding of the Faith may deepen, and that each of you may grow to become a shining star in the firmament of our beloved Cause.

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 14 JUNE 1930

14 June 1930

Dear Dr. Muehlschlegel:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 31-5-30. Concerning his translation of the Iqan, Shoghi Effendi has finished it, but it needs going over and retyping, and this he cannot as before summer. By the next autumn he believes it will be ready for publication.

Shoghi Effendi would therefore advise you to wait until then before you take any decision as to your German translation.

Shoghi Effendi much appreciates the service you are rendering. The Iqan is the most important book written on the spiritual significance of the Cause. I do not believe any person can consider himself well versed in the teachings unless he has studied it thoroughly. To publish it therefore in a comprehensive German will be one of the greatest services rendered to the Cause in that land...

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

[From the Guardian:]

My dear co-worker:

I trust that the day will soon come when you will be able to visit Persia and meet the Baha'is and visit the shrines of the martyrs. I pray that the Beloved may guide your steps, cheer your heart and bless your efforts.

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 20 JUNE 1931

20 June 1931

My Dear Friends,

I am directed by our Guardian to thank you for your letter of June 5th.

He learns with extreme pleasure and satisfaction of your gathering at a meeting at which all the dear friends of Vienna together with our good friend Mr. Adam Benke of Leipzig were present. And he deeply appreciates your loving message of greeting above your individual signatures. Such messages are always a source of pleasure to him, but he is especially glad to see the newly established centre in Vienna so full of enthusiasm, of love and of devotion to the Cause of Baha'u'llah. He prays from the bottom of his heart that our precious Master may fill your souls with His beautiful spirit and may help and guide you to serve His Cause and humanity.

He is so glad to know that Mr. Benke is going to Sofia to help Miss Jack, and he trusts that he will be of very great help to her.

With the assurance of Shoghi Effendi's loving greetings to you all,...

[From the Guardian:]

My dear and precious co-workers:

I was so pleased to hear from you and to learn of your steadfast loyalty to the Cause. The friends in Vienna are ever in my thoughts and heart and I will continue to supplicate for them the Master's richest blessings.

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 23 DECEMBER 1931

23 December 1931

Dear Dr. Muehlschlegel:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to drop you these few lines to inform you that few days ago he sent to your address c/o Mrs. Schwarz a copy of his translation of the Iqan which has just come out. He hopes that it will help you in revising your translation into German which you have already made. This is in fulfilment of the promise he made last year to send you a copy of his English translation when out of the press.

Shoghi Effendi has, through various channels, been hearing of the wonderful services you are rendering to the Cause. He sincerely trusts that the young and educated Baha'is, who have their spiritual faculties fully developed, and who as a consequence appreciate the significance of Baha'u'llah's mission in the development of the world, will with one accord, arise and establish the Kingdom of God upon the earth. The world around us is in a pitiable condition and its ills seem daily to increase. It is for us, we Baha'i youths, who have been entrusted with this divine mission, to do our utmost and rest only when the task has been carried to its successful conclusion.

In his moments of prayer and meditation at the Shrines Shoghi Effendi will think of you and ask for you divine guidance and help....

LETTER OF 24 FEBRUARY 1932

24 February 1932

Dear Dr. Muehlschlegel:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated Feb. 13th, 1932. He was very glad to know that you have recovered your health and can resume your work as well as services to the Cause. We surely cannot afford seeing the competent servants of the Faith handicapped by their health. They are too few to be spared so easily.

Shoghi Effendi was very glad to know that the new edition of the Iqan has reached you safely and that you are going to use it in going over your translation into German. He is surely very sorry that not knowing Persian you cannot go to the very original. He sincerely hopes that before long we will have some of the younger members of the German Baha'is who would make translation their life-work, and with that object in mind make a thorough study of Persian and Arabic. They would surely be rendering a wonderful service to their nation as well as to the Faith as a whole.

In closing may I assure you of Shoghi Effendi's prayers and best wishes. He will always be waiting to hear of the wonderful progress the Faith is making in Germany and of the role you are playing in it....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-worker:

I wish to add a few words in person and assure you of my keen and heartfelt appreciation of your high and painstaking endeavours for the spread and consolidation of the Faith in that land. The German believers have undergone tests of unprecedented severity. They have weathered the storm in a marvellous spirit and with fine and praiseworthy determination. These tests were God-sent, and will serve to deepen the roots of the Faith in that promising country. Wishing you success in your devoted labours and assuring you of my prayers in your behalf.

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 30 MARCH 1932

30 March 1932

Dear Baha'i brothers and sisters:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter written at the occasion of the Naw-Ruz feast and conveying the greetings of the season. He wants me to reciprocate these feelings and express his hope that during this new year, which has just begun, the Cause may make a progress in Germany unsurpassed in the history of the Cause in that land.

The world as a whole, but especially the people of that continent of Europe, is suffering great calamities as a result of wars, social dissatisfaction, fear, hatred and jealousies. And these forces of darkness are leading humanity to absolute destruction. This state of affairs shall continue until the world is awakened to the importance of the Message of Baha'u'llah--a Message especially sent by God to heal human ills in this present day.

Should we not, we who have been entrusted with this divine Cause, arise and with one accord proclaim the Word of God throughout the world? Should we leave humanity writhe in its suffering and prove ourselves untrue to the covenant made with the Master--the covenant, that we will to the last moment of our life strive to save God's people from complete destruction?

In his moments of prayer Shoghi Effendi will think of you all and ask God to guide your steps and re-enforce your efforts in proclaiming His divine message through the length and breadth of that vast continent. He read your circular letter with deep interest; may the one you will write next Naw-Ruz have still more inspiring news of the progress of the Cause to share with the friends throughout the world....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-workers:

I wish to add a few words in person, and assure you again of my deep affection and deep interest in your activities. Your loyalty and perseverance, in the face of formidable tests, are indeed worthy of the highest praise. May the Beloved continue to guide and bless your high endeavours, and enable each one of you to render great and memorable services to His Cause,

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 19 MAY 1932

19 May 1932

Dear Dr. Muehlschlegel:

Some time ago I received a letter from you in Persian. So happy I was to see you study that language that I showed your letter to Shoghi Effendi. He thereupon gave me the Iqan and also a booklet containing the Hidden Words, the Seven Valleys and some Odes of Baha'u'llah to send to you. Being very busy I did not accompany them with a letter. I sincerely hope you have received them and are trying to read them. In any case, if you have received them please drop me a few lines to that effect....

LETTER OF 10 SEPTEMBER 1932

10 September 1932

Dear Baha'i Friends,

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated August 20th, 1932 and to extend to you all the expression of his heartfelt appreciation and thanks.

The news of your successful "Sommerwoche" greatly comforted his aching heart. He hopes that such important gatherings will serve to deepen the understanding of the friends and inspire them with renewed faith and courage to consolidate the work already inaugurated through the precious efforts of our German friends.

Shoghi Effendi wishes you to persevere in your services and be confident in God's unfailing help. The Master has given us the assurance that He will bless our efforts and will not leave us alone and unaided.

With the renewed assurance of Shoghi Effendi's best wishes and of his fervent prayers on behalf of every one of you....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-workers:

I cannot refrain from adding a few words in person as a token of my admiration for the manner in which you are conducting your activities for the spread of the Cause. You are often in my thoughts and are the object of my fervent and loving prayers. The work you perform in summer should be extended, its influence must spread, its attendance increase, and its foundations be strengthened. May the Beloved guide and sustain your high endeavours,

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 14 SEPTEMBER 1932

14 September 1932

Dear Dr. Muehlschlegel:

I am in receipt of your letter dated September 4th 1932. Regarding your question on the subject of holding the usual festivals during this year when we are mourning the loss of the Greatest Holy Leaf; inasmuch as Shoghi Effendi has not yet returned from his summer vacations I cannot put your question to him and answer you immediately. The friends in America, however, who were confronted with the same problem, put to him the same question by telegram. I could, therefore, do no better than send you a copy of Shoghi Effendi's answer. I believe it will give you the necessary guidance in solving your problem. His cable runs as follows:

Baha'i New York festive anniversaries should be suspended administrative gatherings including nineteen day feasts should be held with utmost simplicity....

LETTER OF 30 NOVEMBER 1932

30 November 1932

Dear Baha'i Brothers and Sisters:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your joint letter dated November 12th 1932 written on the occasion of the birthday of Baha'u'llah.

We should feel deeply gratified and thankful to God that at a time when all humanity seems to be struggling in despair we can come together and, with great assurance, feast and be merry over the dawn of a new day; that in the darkness which envelops the world we see the approach of a new light and the breaking of a new era. This is a true blessing and a bounty from God to those who believe in Him and accept His Revelation.

To express our deep appreciation for this gift bestowed by God we should arise and spread this message of hope to the suffering humanity around us. Such is the nature of this gift that the more we give from it to others the greater will be our remaining share. For what pleasure can compare the pleasure of bringing joy and hope to other hearts. The more we make others happy the greater will be our own happiness and the deeper our sense of having served humanity.

In his moments of prayer at the blessed Shrines, Shoghi Effendi will think of you all and ask God to guide and assist you in spreading His message throughout that land and the neighbouring countries. He trusts that, through your persistent efforts, innumerable souls will be guided to see the Truth and flock to its support....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-workers:

Your joint and welcome message brought strength and comfort to my sorrow-stricken heart. The burden of my sadness and grief has been considerably alleviated. I value the sentiments you have expressed. Each one of you is near and dear to my heart. I will continue to pray for you all, that the Beloved may protect, guide and bless you in your constant efforts for the spread of this mighty and precious Cause,

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 3 MAY 1933

3 May 1933

Dear Baha'i Brothers and Sisters:

The Guardian wishes me to thank you for your kind words of April 23, 1933, expressing the greetings of the season.

He is deeply gratified to learn that when the friends assemble at such gatherings, and remember the occasion they are celebrating, they renew their determination to serve and ask God to shower upon them His infinite blessings and help them in the realization of their noble aim.

The more society is threatened by wars, and the more humanity is seen desperate before the problems that confront it, the more should the Baha'is take courage and redouble their energy in diffusing the teachings. For it is only through such divine precepts that the world can obtain peace and tranquility, and become an environment within which man can spiritually progress and attain his noble destiny.

In his moments of prayer at the Blessed Shrines the Guardian will think of you all and ask God to guide and aid you in the service of His Faith. May through the light that emerges from your gatherings all the people of those regions receive the light of God and find their way towards eternal salvation....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved guide your steps, cheer your hearts, enable you to promote far and wide the interests of our beloved Faith and aid you to consolidate its rising institutions,

Your true and affectionate brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 16 MAY 1933

16 May 1933

Dear Dr. Muehlschlegel:

The Guardian ... does sincerely hope that the reports we receive here about the sentiments rampant in Germany are untrue to fact, that it is a regeneration of the people rather than a retrogression towards a dead past. Because whatever we say of Germany, we have to admit that its people are endowed with a spiritual vitality quite superior to many other races. Being in the heart of that populated continent and being inspired by such a strong religious spirit, Germany can easily achieve a wonderful task in regenerating the world. The eyes of the world are surely centered around it expecting to see what it will do.

Yet we Baha'is should remember that we stand above politics. That that field does not interest us; that we attribute importance to things of the spirit, that we await salvation to come from the Faith that burns in our hearts.

In his moments of prayer and meditation at the Blessed Shrines, the Guardian will think of you and the other friends in Germany and ask God to guide you and assist you in playing your important role of spiritualizing the whole world--so immersed at present in material pursuits and interests....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and precious co-worker:

I was so pleased to receive your letter. I long to hear more fully and more frequently from you. You are a tower of ... and a pillar of His Faith in that land. Germany has a glorious future under the banner of the Faith of Baha'u'llah. Its mission is to champion the cause of God in Europe and establish it firmly in the heart of that continent. The tests and trials which have beset the Faith in that land were necessary and providential. It is for the German believers, who have weathered the storm, to arise and promote the Cause, to proclaim the non-political character of their Faith, to establish its nascent institutions and prove by their words and acts their freedom from every taint of particularism and prejudice. May the Almighty guide their steps, sustain them in their efforts and bless their activities.

Shoghi

LETTER OF 14 JUNE 1933

14 June 1933

Dear Dr. Muehlschlegel:

Many thanks for your letter of June 4th 1933. I presented it together with the enclosed report on the Summer school to the Guardian who was very pleased to read them.

He kept the report but wishes me to inform you that as the Baha'i World Volume five will not be compiled and made ready for the press except after the coming summer, you could write another and fuller report to include the one that will be held this year. There will surely be some further points of interest that could be mentioned; and it is always better to have such reports as up-to-date as possible.

The Guardian hopes that this summer a great step will be taken in developing the School and that you will play an important role in that connection.

In case of the need of further correspondence on this or similar subjects please write directly to Shoghi Effendi, it will avoid unnecessary delay.

In closing may I express the Guardian's prayers and best wishes for the progress of your work in serving the Faith....

LETTER OF 27 JUNE 1933

27 June 1933

Dear Dr. Muehlschlegel:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge on his behalf the receipt of your letter dated May 11th, 1933, together with the enclosed Program of the Baha'i meetings held in Stuttgart and Esslingen, all of which he has carefully read and deeply appreciated.