31 July 1956
Dearly Beloved Friends:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you in connection with the Temple design for Germany, and the activities in connection therewith.
1. The Guardian feels your Assembly should not announce the selection at this time, to the Friends. You should, quietly, review the matter carefully, and ascertain what the cost of construction will be. It may be if the expense is out of line with the amounts available, then some other considerations will have to be given.
2. You should concentrate all your energies on the securing of the Temple location. This is important, as the Temple cannot of course be started, until the land is purchased.
3. When you have the arrangements made for the land purchase, and have the costs of the Temple construction, let the Guardian know, and he will advise the next step.
4. The Guardian will announce the selection of the Temple design to the Bahá’í World, after all these matters are settled.
The Guardian hopes you will be able to expedite all these matters, as he feels, as I have written previously, there is no time to be lost, if the Temple is to be completed before the close of the Ten Year Crusade.
The Guardian sends you his loving greetings....
26 August 1956
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
Your loving letter of July 17th was duly received, and its contents presented to the Beloved Guardian.
For the Endowment in Austria, no more than $1,000. should be spent. I cabled you with regard to the gift of Mr. ..., asking his full name, or initials, if you do not have the full name. This information is necessary as he may be an individual whose voting rights were withdrawn by the ... NSA, and if so, his contribution cannot be accepted. As soon as I have his first name and initials, I will be able to tell, and will then let you know definitely.
Your report for the year 112 in English has been sent on to the Guardian, for his study and perusal....
24 September 1956 (Summer School)
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The beloved Guardian has received your letter of August 17th, signed by those present at the Summer School, and has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was happy to see that the Hands of the Cause were represented there, also that Bahá’ís from different countries were present.
The friends can gain much spiritual reinforcement by drawing on the inner strength of their fellow-Bahá’ís; and the Guardian hopes those who went to Esslingen this summer received this renewed power from mingling with other Bahá’ís; and returned to their homes more determined than ever to carry forward in the speediest and most efficient manner possible—the work of the World Spiritual Crusade.
He appreciates the prayers of the friends, and sends you all his loving greetings....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh sustain you in your splendid activities, aid you to acquire a fuller grasp of the fundamental and distinguishing features and teachings of our beloved Faith, and lend a great impetus to its onward march,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
27 September 1956
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you to ascertain the present status of the purchase of the new site for the Temple in Frankfurt.
As you know he attaches the utmost importance to this matter, and regrets that it has not been consummated up to the present time. He is becoming fearful that the Temple will not be built in Germany, during the Ten Year Crusade, unless there is some strong immediate action taken in connection with the purchase of the land, and then the prosecution of the construction work.
Will your Assembly please let me know by return airmail, what the status is of the land purchase....
27 September 1956
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
Please refer to your letter of July 17th and my reply of August 26th, with regard to a gift of $1,000 from ... to the Austrian Fund.
It is satisfactory to receive this gift, as ... is a Bahá’í of record of the ... Assembly.
As I wrote you however, it cannot be used for the Endowment; as a gift of $1,000 has already been made by ... for this purpose. Thus ... should be informed, so he may direct in what manner he wishes the money used, or if he gives it for the General Fund, which is, of course, best....
27 September 1956
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write your Assembly, to ask the status of the purchase of the Endowment in Austria, which he hopes will be purchased shortly. This should be a relatively simple matter, and he hopes it can be followed through promptly.
He likewise is anxious regarding the incorporation of local Assemblies. He hopes your Assembly will review the matter further at this time, to see if more Assemblies cannot be incorporated at this time....
28 September 1956
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
The beloved Guardian has received your recent letter, and has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was grieved to hear of the passing of Mr. Rahmatollah Saffar. He deeply appreciates the services rendered the Faith by him, and wishes to extend his loving sympathy to his family, and to assure them of his prayers for the progress of his spirit.
The Guardian will shortly be sending Five Hundred Pounds for the German National Spiritual Assembly to help in the teaching work....
6 October 1956 (First Austrian Summer School)
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your note of greeting dated August 29th, signed by all present on this important occasion, together with its enclosures, has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf. He was happy to see the names of so many participants, as such gatherings bring a fresh spirit and a renewed determination to carry forward the work to all the friends.
The Guardian assures you he will remember you in his loving prayers; and he urges you to steadily, courageously and whole-heartedly, pursue your goals under the historic World Spiritual Crusade, confident that this will attract to you the blessings of Bahá’u’lláh....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty guide your steps in the path of service, remove all obstacles from your path, and enable you to extend the range of your meritorious services, and win great victories in the days to come,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
20 October 1956
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your loving letter of October 3rd was presented to the Beloved Guardian.
The Guardian has directed me to assure your Assembly, that he is praying for the removal of every obstacle in the way of the purchase of the site for the Temple at Frankfurt.
He hopes you and your committee will continue to press the matter vigorously, as he hopes this important matter, can be successfully achieved in the near future.
When you have concluded the purchase, he would appreciate a cable from you.
He sends his loving greetings to each of you....
22 October 1956 (Teaching Conference)
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The beloved Guardian has received the letter which you all signed, dated September 30th, and has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
When we stop to think that we are already in the fourth year of the World Spiritual Crusade, we realize that we cannot afford to look at our past accomplishments, but must face the future and the tremendous tasks which lie ahead.
He knows the attainment of the objectives of the Crusade is the concern deepest in the heart of each believer; and he is confident this Conference has sent forth those who attended with a renewed determination to do all in their power individually and collectively, as the days and weeks pass, to ensure its ultimate success....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty guide you in your constant endeavours for the spread of the Faith, and aid you to extend continually the scope of your valued activities, and lend, in the days to come, a great impetus to its progress and the consolidation of its institutions.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
9 November 1956
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to respond to your recent letter to him, with regard to the Temple design, etc.
The Guardian likes the adjustments Mr. Rocholl has made in his design, and now approves of the drawings you have sent him. Therefore you should now proceed, within the following limitations.
No changes should be made further in the design. If it is necessary to reduce the size in order to keep within the limit of financial resources, that is permissible, but no change in the size or proportions should be made.
As previously advised, the Guardian feels this Temple must be constructed at a cost of not to exceed $300,000. He is willing to consider raising this limit by $20,000, to cover furnishings, etc. or at the very outside $30,000.
Now it is necessary for your Assembly to study the matter, and decide how to proceed to construct the Temple within this money limit. The Temple must be financed by the Bahá’ís of the world, and with the heavy expenditures everywhere, economy must be exercised in all our undertakings, and limits of budgets set.
The important thing now is to build a House of Worship, which will bring untold spiritual blessings, wide publicity, and let us hope, a rapid increase in the number of Bahá’ís and Centers.
As I have indicated, if it is necessary to decrease the size of the structure, that is satisfactory, but no change in design or proportions should be made to the main structure of the building.
This $320,000 figure, refers to the completed Temple, including fittings and equipment.
Of course, the Temple cannot be built until the land has been secured. He requests and urges that your Assembly expedite this important matter in every way possible. He is fearful, if work on the Temple is not started at an early date, it may be impossible to build the Temple in Germany during the Ten Year Crusade.
He assures you of his prayers in your behalf. He sends his loving Greetings....
P.S. The questions of materials to be used, he leaves to your Assembly. You should endeavor to use such materials as are not too expensive, and yet satisfactory for the Temple.
15 November 1956
Dearly Beloved Sister:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you concerning the purchase of the Endowment for Austria. He hopes very much it will be possible for you to purchase this Endowment before Ridván 1957.
He asks that you write me, giving the status of this matter, and when you feel the purchase can be consummated....
30 November 1956
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
Your loving letters of November 19th and 22nd were duly received by the Beloved Guardian, and he has directed me to acknowledge them on his behalf.
He greatly appreciates, and was deeply touched, by your kind sentiments on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of his appointment as Guardian. The spirit of devotion and consecration of the German Believers, and its National Assembly, augurs well for the future of the Faith in your country. He is sure the Master will both guide and confirm you in your work, as you carry forth the mandates of His Convenant, and the Teaching Tablets.
With regard to the Temple Land—The Guardian feels this must be purchased in Frankfurt, or its environs. He does not approve of buying in Offenbach. Thus he feels you can secure the land anywhere in Frankfurt or its environs, where it seems best suitable for our purposes.
The new location near Eschborn would seem satisfactory, but you must be sure there will be no trouble with permits to build.
He feels you should again review the entire matter most carefully, and he hopes you will soon find the location which will be the site of the House of Worship in Germany.
With regard to the funds—he feels it is best that you allow them to remain in the Bank as at present.
The Guardian sends you his loving greetings.
He is praying for you, and for the success of your work in the Faith....
30 November 1956
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
Your loving letter of October 17th was duly received, and its contents presented to the Beloved Guardian. He has directed me to reply as follows:
He feels it is more advisable for ... to remain in Budapest, where the Faith needs every help it can get, rather than go to either Austria or Germany.
Of course, the terrible events in Hungary may have changed the whole aspect of this important matter, and the question not now be in need of an answer. The Guardian hopes that ... has not suffered nor met with misfortune in that unhappy city.
At the same time, the Faith is needed more than ever, and it may be the depressing conditions existing, may make it possible for more teaching work to be done....
5 December 1956
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you concerning some copies of the prints which Mr. Rocholl has made of the Temple Design for Frankfurt.
He would like to secure 15 copies of the photo sent by Mr. Rocholl, which shows the Temple in White lines, and the background black.
The Temple itself, should be no larger than the Shrine in the Colored pictures of the Shrine of the Báb. Thus the measurement of the pictures to be sent are 21 cm by 13 cm. There need be little space below or over the Temple, but let the black run out to the edges, on both sides.
Do I make clear what the Guardian wants? If you will show Mr. Rocholl a picture of the Shrine of the Báb colored, as printed in America for sale, and which appears in the frontispiece of Vol. 9 of the Bahá’í World, he can have the pictures made accordingly.
The pictures should be black and white, glossy, and on as light paper as possible. By light I mean, in weight.
Please cable me on receipt if this is clear, and if Mr. Rocholl can provide the 15 copies at an early date....
1 January 1957
Mrs. Anna Grossmann:
Your loving letter of December 16th was duly received, and its contents presented to the Beloved Guardian.
Needless to say, he is very disturbed with the recent developments with regard to the Temple land and building. This matter has gone along for a long period of time, and he feels it is now reaching the point where it reflects on the Faith. He feels very definitely that if there should be a failure in connection with the Temple to be built in Frankfurt, it would be a great set back to the Faith, not only in Germany, but in all Europe.
The Guardian suggests your Assembly read carefully, the many statements and letters to the American National Assembly, as to the importance of the Temple, and its construction. He even says it will be the most important teacher of the Faith, and with its completion, a new spiritual movement will take place in America. Whatever the Master has said with regard to the Temple in America, applies with equal force to Germany. Surely we cannot allow the negative influences at work in Frankfurt and Germany, in connection with our Temple project, to stop our forward progress.
The Guardian would like your Assembly to consider the project of the Temple land, and the construction of the building, as its most important task, and give it precedence over all other problems.
So far as the question of Environs of Frankfurt is concerned, he will allow you to determine what constitutes the Environs of Frankfurt. If you feel Offenbach, which is a separate city, is the environs of Frankfurt, he will approve the construction there. If the hills of Taunus constitute the environs, he will approve that location.
If the objection of the city of Frankfurt to the Temple model, is due to its size, why not reduce the size. The important thing now is not the size of the building, but the fact of the building.
Therefore the Guardian will approve reduction in the size, so as to permit construction now, and in Frankfurt, or its environs.
The Guardian will pray for the guidance of your Assembly in working out this important project; that it may be settled promptly, and that soon we may rejoice, with the work of the Temple proceeding....
10 January 1957
GUARDIAN APPROVES PURCHASE LAND POLISCHER BERG WITH ASSURANCE NO COMPLICATIONS ERECTION TEMPLE.
11 January 1957
MR SABET CHARGED BY GUARDIAN MEET WITH YOUR NSA IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS PLEASE CABLE DATE PLACE NEXT MEETING.
11 January 1957
IS KRIFTEL REFERRED YOURS FIRST SAME AS POLISCHER BERG REFERRED MY CABLE EIGHTH.
13 January 1957
GUARDIAN URGES IMMEDIATE PURCHASE TEMPLE LAND. TRANSLATION INTO UNOPENED TERRITORY LANGUAGE ALSO HAVE PIONEERS READY TO MOVE FIRST OPPORTUNITY.
19 January 1957
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
I cabled you today, as follows: “What is status purchase Temple Land Polischer Berg. Please cable.”
I cabled you on January 8th that the Guardian approved purchase of the land of Polischer Berg, with the assurance that there would be no complications in connection with the erection of the Temple.
Your letter later spoke of the Temple Land near Kriftel, and I cabled to ascertain if this is the same land as referred to at Polischer Berg. I take it, it is.
The Guardian now hopes all matters are clarified, and that your Assembly is in a position to purchase this land, and thus start the construction of the Temple. Your early advice and confirmation will be appreciated by him....
19 January 1957
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
Miss Bertha Matthiessen, one of the dear Bahá’ís of Southern California, who has spent some time in Germany, and is no doubt, well known to you; is returning to Germany from the United States in March 1957.
She has written the Guardian that after a rest at Bad Nauheim, she will get in touch with your Assembly, or the Teaching Committee, to assist in the teaching work. The Guardian has written her, expressing his appreciation of this offer on her part to assist in the important work in Germany and Austria, and suggested that if she could settle in one of the goal cities in Austria, after consultation with your Assembly or Teaching Committee, it would be highly meritorious.
This note is sent to you, so you may understand, when she gets in touch with you this spring....
24 Janaury 1957 (Winter School)
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your message dated January 5th has reached the beloved Guardian, and he was very happy to see that the friends had been able to meet and deepen their understanding of the Faith.
He hopes that the German Bahá’ís, especially the Youth, will do all they can to consolidate the foundations of the work already so painstakingly laid in Germany during a period of almost half a century; and that each Bahá’í will consider it his privilege and duty to support the teaching work, either through pioneering to new Centers, or strengthening weak Assemblies, or assisting the Groups to become Assemblies.
He assures you all of his loving prayers for your success....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your efforts, guide and sustain you, and enable you to extend the scope of your valued activities, acquire a fuller understanding of the distinguishing features of His Faith, and lend an impetus to the progress and consolidation of its divinely appointed institutions,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
26 January 1957
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
Yesterday, a Jewish Seaman called, to present Greetings from Mrs. Santa Felbermann, connected with the British Legation in Budapest.
This gentlemen, who gave the name of Alexander Goldhammer, advised he had been in Budapest a short time ago, and Mrs. Felbermann, asked him to give her Greetings to the Friends here.
It occurs to me you may wish to enter into correspondence with her, if correspondence to Hungary is possible now from West Germany. You may have information from the Bahá’ís who left Hungary recently, and who, no doubt, were in touch with you.
I am also sending a copy of this letter to Mrs. Anne Lynch, so she may write to Mrs. Felbermann, if correspondence from Switzerland is now possible....
17 February 1957
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
The Beloved Guardian has suggested that your Assembly arrange for a telegraphic address in Frankfurt, which will simplify telegraphing to your honorable body.
Some of the National Assemblies have used the designation “Bahá’í”. Thus for instance, when we cable to the American NSA, we simply address the cable “Bahá’í, Wilmette”. Australia uses “Natbahai”. As soon as you have arranged with the cable Company for your telegraphic address, please let me know for the Guardian....
17 February 1957
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write to your Assembly, concerning the settlement of Persian Bahá’ís in Germany and Austria.
He has discussed the matter in some detail with ... when they were here, and asked them to review the matter with your Assembly.
It is artificial to build up communities or Assemblies with Persians, or for that matter, any Bahá’ís from other countries. The Communities and Assemblies should be made up of local people. Thus in any of the Centers where a large number of Persian Bahá’ís have settled, your Assembly should discuss the subject with them, and urge them to move to goal cities, where there are no Bahá’ís, or groups, in order to assist in the teaching work. Thus, the artificial Assemblies will necessarily have to be constituted of local Bahá’ís, and many new centers will be opened. Thus the Persian Bahá’ís will become pioneers and greatly aid the teaching work. At the same time, it will mean that the German Bahá’ís will have to redouble their efforts and win many converts to the Faith, in the cities from which the Persians move, and which are now artificial.
The Guardian hopes this action will stimulate the teaching work throughout Germany.
He sends you his loving greetings....
10 March 1957
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
The Beloved Guardian is anxious to have an up to date record of the number of Bahá’ís in the Goal countries of the Ten Year Crusade, as of April 1, 1957.
To this end I have prepared letters to each country or island. Some of the current addresses etc. I do not have, and I am taking the liberty of enclosing letters for the Frisian Islands, and Crete.
May I ask if you will send them directly to the proper persons, by air mail.
Please acknowledge and advise if you will arrange to do this for me....
12 March 1957 (Regional Convention)
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your note of greeting has been received, and our beloved Guardian was very happy to see that so many of the believers had gathered together, old ones and new ones, and he hopes that as a result of your studies and consultation a new impetus will be given to the teaching work in Germany.
You may be sure he will pray for your success in the holy Shrines; and he urges you one and all to concentrate on the requirements of the Ten Year Plan as it affects the work in Germany....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved bless your highly meritorious efforts, aid you to extend continually the scope of your valued activities, surmount every obstacle, and lend a tremendous impetus to the onward march of our beloved Faith and the development and consolidation of its administrative institutions,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
13 March 1957
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
The Beloved Guardian is very anxious to have an up to date record of the total number of Bahá’í Centers in Germany and Austria, separately;—excluding, of course, the goal areas of the Ten Year Crusade, such as the Frisian Islands, etc.
May I ask if you will send me a cable on receipt of this giving just the totals for each country, as for instance “Germany 100, Austria 25”. There is no need for any breakdown of Assemblies, Groups or Isolated Centers....
14 March 1957
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
The Beloved Guardian has been greatly impressed by the large number of Teaching Conferences held during the past year.
I have an incomplete record of a conference held in Austria. Can you cable me if this conference was held, the dates, and place....
P.S. Please send the cable immediately on receipt of this letter.
17 March 1957
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
...So far as ... Mr. and Mrs. ... and children are concerned, the Guardian wishes to know if they are residents of Germany, or Persians traveling in Germany, or there only for a short time. When did they arrive, and what are their plans.
The purpose of this information is that if they actually are Persian residents, traveling in Europe, then they will have to go on the Persian list, and come when their turn comes there. If they are permanently residing in Germany, then the situation is different....
P.S. Also please advise what their background is!
29 March 1957
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
As requested in your letter of March 23rd, I informed the Beloved Guardian of the passing of Mr. Lehne, in Berlin, on March 20th.
The Beloved Guardian asked me to advise you, and the wife of Mr. Lehne, that he will pray for the progress of Mr. Lehne’s soul in the realms beyond.
He rendered outstanding services to the Faith, holding the ideals of the Faith during the difficult days of the war....
Will you please inform Mrs. Lehne.
3 April 1957
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
Your loving letter of March 22nd, was duly received, and its contents presented to the Beloved Guardian.
He will be happy to welcome ... on their pilgrimage, when their turn comes. It is not feasible just now for them to come when ... return from Haifa. The Guardian will let ... know when the time comes for their pilgrimage.
There are so many wishing to make the pilgrimage, that the Guardian must receive them in the order of their application. Thus, when the time comes for ..., the Guardian will let them know....
9 April 1957
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
Your loving letter of April 2nd, has been received by the Beloved Guardian, and he has directed me to acknowledge it on his behalf.
He is happy to receive word of the progress which you are making in connection with the purchase of the Temple Land, and the securing of necessary building permits. He hopes you will encounter no serious difficulties in connection with the building permit, so that work on this most important project, may start at an early date.
He will pray for your Assembly, that you may be able to overcome all hindrances, and that the path may be smoothed for an early conclusion of this troublesome matter.
So far as the land in Offenbach is concerned, and the plan of the city that we finance road work is concerned—this is entirely impossible. The cost is too high, and furthermore we should not become involved in local civic projects.
He sends you his loving greetings....