19 April 1953
Regarding your question, on Page 40 of “Prayers and Meditations”, where it says: “Methinks He”, this “He” refers to the Báb. The last paragraph on Page 40 and the continuation of it on Page 41 right down to the end of the quotation marks on Page 42, is all the Spirit of the Báb addressing Bahá’u’lláh; therefore, the words: “Thou art, in very truth, the Self-Subsisting” refers to Bahá’u’lláh, and is addressed by the Báb’s Spirit to Him in the mystical sense of this prayer.
Regarding the words on Page 39 beginning with: “He it is, O my Lord,” up to: “Thou didst weep continually”, these are addressed by Bahá’u’lláh to the Báb.
7 May 1953
Bahá’ís of Esslingen.
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your loving letter of April 5th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has asked me to acknowledge it on his behalf.
He is delighted to learn of the activity of the friends in Esslingen, and of their unity and devotion.
The visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Esslingen on April 4, 1913, was a historic occasion, and the friends certainly are correct in holding a memorial meeting each year.
Now that the Ten-Year World Crusade has been launched, the Guardian sincerely hopes that all of the friends in Germany will treble their efforts, and arise to accomplish the great goals which the German Bahá’ís have set themselves to achieve.
You may be sure the Guardian will pray for you at the holy Shrines. He sends his warm love to each and every one of you....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you, and aid you to promote the vital interests of His Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
16 May 1953
To the believers in Frankfurt.
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The beloved Guardian greatly appreciated your Ridván Greetings, which were sent on the post card showing the Hazíratu’l-Quds in Frankfurt.
This has been an especially wonderful Ridván, marking as it does the ninetieth anniversary of the announcement of Bahá’u’lláh, and also the launching of the great World Crusade in addition to the 100th anniversary of the Intimation of Bahá’u’lláh’s Prophetic Mission—in the Síyáh-Chál.
The Guardian speaks frequently of the German Bahá’ís, and of the great role they will have to play in the development of the Faith from now on. He will pray that divine confirmations may reach you at all times, and that your efforts will be guided and confirmed.
1 November 1953
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
I am writing you this little note on behalf of our beloved Guardian to reassure you, as he has heard from one of the friends that sometimes you feel you have failed in your services to our glorious Faith.
He considers that you have no justification for ever having such dark thoughts. You have served the Cause of God unstintingly, and with complete loyalty and dedication year after year; and he feels confident that the Master has reserved a rich reward for you in the next world.
Your loving devotion, and the harmony that you are able to produce amongst the friends, is very essential for the work in such an important Center as Frankfurt, which will soon, in addition to its being the administrative center of the Faith in Germany, possess the first Bahá’í Temple in Europe.
The Guardian, therefore, urges you to continue your work there amongst the friends with a cheerful and peaceful heart; and you may be sure he remembers you in his prayers in the Holy Shrine.
8 February 1954
The sudden passing of dear Dorothy Baker is indeed a great loss to the Faith, and leaves a sad gap in the ranks of the Hands of the Cause. She was exemplary in so many ways, and her services can ill be spared at this important period in Bahá’í history.
No doubt there is a wisdom in such calamities; and through her death others may feel moved to become more consecrated to the service of the Faith. Surely such a soul’s influence will continue to be felt in this world.
Your own constant and devoted labours for the promotion of the Cause of God, as well as those of your dear family, are very deeply appreciated by him, and you are often remembered in his prayers. He hopes that you are in good health; and urges you, while serving the Cause, not to neglect yourself. Old and experienced Bahá’ís, especially the Hands, are needed to strengthen the foundations of the Faith; and for the sake of the Cause, they must protect themselves.
11 May 1954
As regards the question you asked in your letter about a concealed group of masters in the Himalayas or anywhere else, there is no foundation whatsoever for this in the Bahá’í Writings. We as Bahá’ís must not believe in the divine origin of any such things which have not been mentioned in our own Sacred Scriptures by either the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh or the Master.
There is nothing whatsoever to lead us to believe that there is any foundation or truth in these mystical stories of beings that are “behind the scenes” so to speak. We must avoid such thoughts and teachings, and try to wean others away from them as we give them the Message....
He hopes that, now that a Board has been appointed by you and your fellow-Hands in Europe, the teaching work in the goal countries as well as in France and England will go forward much more rapidly; and also that the pioneers opening up the many new territories and islands in the Mediterranean and in the North Sea areas will likewise benefit greatly from the assistance this Board can give them ever increasingly.
2 June 1954
Bahá’í Group of Munich.
This is just a brief note to acknowledge, on behalf of the beloved Guardian, your letter of greeting, dated May 9th.
He was very happy to learn that such a study group now exists, and he hopes that each one of you will make a deep study of the Faith, so that you will be well prepared to take it to other friends there. The Guardian attaches the greatest importance to Munich, and he hopes others will be enkindled and confirmed, so that, within a short time, a Spiritual Assembly may be established in your city....
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of my loving prayers for the success of your efforts for the promotion of our beloved Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
5 September 1954
There can be no doubt that the opposition of the churches to the erection of the Bahá’í Temple is a marked step forward in the progress of the Faith in Germany. He hopes, however, that the situation will never reach a point where the National Spiritual Assembly has to go to the Federal Constitutional Court or to UNO. This would be unwise and doubtful as to results. We are not yet ready for the publicity such a case would bring us—not to mention the increase in opposition it would lead to, and which would inevitably affect our work in the more backward countries where pioneers are so devotedly labouring to establish the Faith.
He is praying that a solution will be forthcoming in the near future and all complications avoided.
The German Bahá’ís must be very careful not to be involved in any way if this Temple issue gets into the hands of politicians. Nothing could be more dangerous for us!
He deeply appreciates the constant and devoted services you are rendering the Cause of God, in which you are so whole-heartedly supported by your dear family.
He sends you all his loving greetings, and prays for your health and the success of your labours to promote and to protect the Faith....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty, Whose Cause you have served so long, and are still serving with such devotion, distinction and courage, bless continually your high endeavours, guide and sustain you in your deeply appreciated labours, and enable you to enrich the record of your fine and unforgettable accomplishments.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
4 October 1954
Bahá’í Youth Summer School, Überlingen/Bodensee.
The beloved Guardian has received your note of August 28th, signed by all those present at the Summer School.
He is happy to know that you have had such a happy and profitable time together; and he hopes that now you will promise yourselves to spend these days of your youth in the accomplishment of the goals set by the Guardian for your various countries for this particular period of the great World Crusade....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you, and enable you to promote the vital interests of His Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
12 December 1954
The Bahá’ís of Vienna.
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your letter of November 26th was received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He is very happy to see the spirit of love and unity animating you, because without this, no work can go forward in the Cause of God. Personal differences of opinion, of character etc. must melt away in the love of the friends for Bahá’u’lláh, and their desire to serve His Cause.
He hopes that in the near future the Vienna Community will have its Hazíratu’l-Quds, to which he attaches the greatest importance, as it will be the visible sign of the firm foundation on which that Community stands.
He will pray for you all, and for the rapid spread of the Faith through your efforts....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your meritorious efforts, reward you abundantly for your valued and constant services, and enable you to achieve great and memorable victories in the days to come,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
30 September 1955
He assures you he very deeply appreciates the loving attention and care you have been giving to Valíyu’lláh Varqá and his family.
This precious Hand of the Cause of God was always an honoured and favored servant of the Faith during the days of the Master, and very close to His heart; and has always been a completely trusted and truly dedicated helper of the Guardian, who loves him very deeply.
To know of his present condition does grieve the heart, and distresses and saddens the Guardian greatly. He feels confident, though, that this distinguished soul, who is so dear to the hearts in so many lands, in being where he is, is now surrounded with infinite love and tenderness; and for this he is most grateful....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty richly reward you for the deeply appreciated and highly meritorious assistance you extend to our dearly beloved and distinguished brother and co-worker, Valíyu’lláh Varqá, and enable you to extend continually the range of your splendid accomplishments in the service of our glorious Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
13 January 1956
To the Bahá’í Youth who were present at the Titisee Winter School.
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The beloved Guardian was happy to receive your note of greeting from the School, dated December 26th.
He urges each one of you to exert your utmost effort in the teaching field, and do all in your power to establish many new Centers throughout Germany.
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your constant endeavours, remove all obstacles from your path, and enable you to extend continually the scope of your valued activities,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
26 March 1956
Many of the problems which you see facing the German Community are akin to other Bahá’í Communities. There is a desperate need for deepening the Bahá’ís themselves in their own faith. They do not study the Teachings enough. They do not therefore either act as whole-heartedly as Bahá’ís as they should, or derive the spiritual strength from the Faith which studying, praying and meditating brings.
The answer of course to many of these problems is that we need more Bahá’ís to share in the work, more money to finance traveling teachers, more understanding between the youth and older people, and a wiser distribution of the work of the Faith amongst those able to carry it on, whether young or old.
As regards the question you have asked about your own obligations, he feels you should not resign from the National Assembly, as your presence on that Body is of great help in the work. On the other hand, he approves of your requesting that they do not give you so much work as a member of the National Assembly, and as a member of national committees, thus freeing you more for the teaching work as a “Hand”, and also enabling you to take better care of your health, which is a precious asset to the Faith.
3 May 1956
He is glad to see that the work is progressing well in Innsbruck; and feels sure that, with your enthusiasm and that of the other dear friends, it will not be long before a flourishing Bahá’í Community exists there....
As you no doubt know, he has not been satisfied with the Temple drawings received from Germany, and is now in touch with the National Assembly regarding possible modifications of some recently sent him.
He considers that the prestige of our beloved Faith is directly involved with this building; and that what may to an architect, fond of an advanced style, seem appropriate, would not be sufficiently dignified to represent our Faith as the first Temple on the European continent. The problem will no doubt soon be solved. It merely requires patience and more effort.
26 August 1956
He is well satisfied and pleased with the progress of the work there. It shows a healthy condition, and that you are being aided by Bahá’u’lláh in your efforts to establish the Cause in that new area.
He values very deeply your pioneering services, through which you are carrying on a long history in your family of single-hearted devotion to the Faith. It is indeed good that your dear brother Dr. Grossmann can give you such invaluable teaching assistance.
The Guardian hopes those who are now interested in and drawn toward the Cause will earnestly study the Teachings until they feel impelled to join the ranks of the Bahá’ís. He also hopes that others may soon follow their example, so that within a short time a Spiritual Assembly may be established in Westerland-Sylt.
His prayers will constantly surround you as you lovingly labour for the attainment of this important goal....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty, whose Cause you have served, and are serving, so devotedly, so determinedly and courageously, reward you a thousandfold for your historic services and enable you to win still greater victories in the days to come,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
16 September 1956
He is very sorry to hear you may have to leave Graz, where you are laying a good foundation for the work; even though our dear Bahá’í sister, Mrs. Johnson Norvell is there now, which the Guardian was happy to hear.
If it is not possible for you to remain in Graz, you should try to follow your plan of working in Vienna, and going down to help Mrs. Norvell on week-ends.
The Guardian feels you should inquire whether the German National Spiritual Assembly cannot help you to remain in Graz, as he considers this city of great importance....
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of my loving and fervent prayers for the success of your historic services, and of my admiration for the spirit that animates you in the promotion of our beloved Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
28 September 1956
He was sorry indeed to hear of the conditions there, and will ardently pray for the greater dedication of the members of the German Community, so that they may realize the pressing needs of the Faith, and arise determinedly to meet them.
He assures you he deeply appreciates your constant services, and the devoted labours of your dear and honoured brother.
15 November 1956
As regards the translation of the Íqán, as this is a very important and fundamental book, the Guardian hopes that it will be published as soon as possible.
The basis of your translation should be his English translation of it and not the Persian original. He feels that you should adhere as closely as possible to the English text without making your translation so literal as to be un-German and unidiomatic, and therefore not very readable to German-speaking people.
As regards Dr. Schück’s book, which the Guardian is very pleased to hear he has written, as we need always more literature to attract new people to the Faith through different approaches: Any Bahá’í book presenting the Faith should be reviewed by a competent body. This only means that they should ascertain whether there is any misrepresentation of the Teachings in it. Sometimes the friends think they have to go into literary reviews and interfere with the author’s style etc., which of course is wholly unnecessary. It should therefore not take long for your National Body or the Italo-Swiss National Assembly to pass upon the book.
17 November 1956
The Bahá’í Group of Salzburg
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your letter of November 12th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He deeply appreciates the sentiments you expressed and also the loving labours you are performing in the teaching field in Salzburg.
He was happy to note that your letter had seven signatures, and hopes that by Ridván you will be able to form an Assembly there, which will be a great step forward in the progress of the Faith in Austria.
You may be sure he will pray for you all at the holy Shrines....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your high endeavours, guide every step you take, and fulfil every desire you cherish, for the promotion and consolidation of His glorious Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
30 November 1956
He appreciates very deeply the sentiments you expressed to him on the occasion of the thirty-fifth anniversary of his Guardianship. The love of the friends and the services they render the Faith have in a great part sustained him in his arduous and exhausting work; and he feels that the Hands of the Cause will be called upon ever-increasingly to display a loyalty and devotion which will stimulate the rank and file of the friends to arise and fulfil their tasks, in spite of every obstacle....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved reward you a thousandfold for your outstanding and unforgettable services, during so many years, to our beloved Faith, fulfil every desire you cherish, and bless every effort you exert, in the days to come, for the spread and consolidation of His glorious Faith, and enable you to enrich the distinguished record of your highly meritorious accomplishments,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
6 December 1956
He very deeply appreciates the loving sentiments you expressed to him on the occasion of the thirty-fifth anniversary of his Guardianship. The devotion of the Bahá’ís, and the fidelity they have shown to the Master’s wishes, and the love they have showered upon him, have enabled the Guardian to carry out the work he has accomplished.
He hopes that the older German Bahá’ís like yourself will do all you can to deepen the younger generation in the verities of the Faith, and create in them the same flame of devotion which has animated you all over so long a period....
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of my deep and abiding appreciation of the sentiments you have expressed, as well as of your highly meritorious services to the Cause of God—services which have greatly sustained and encouraged me amidst my strenuous labours in His service,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
6 December 1956
He deeply appreciates the loving sentiments you expressed to him on the occasion of the thirty-fifth anniversary of his Guardianship. The devotion the friends have shown to the Cause of God and the love they have showered upon him have enabled him to carry on his heavy burdens.
He hopes that your persistent and devoted labours there will soon bear the reward of a Spiritual Assembly, and assures you that his prayers are offered for your success.
15 December 1956
He also hopes that you will persuade this friend to withdraw from the church if he has not already done so. The line of demarcation must be more and more distinct at this critical point in the fortunes of humanity, and the Bahá’ís must courageously stand forth, upholding the laws of Bahá’u’lláh and supporting the Administrative Order openly.
2 February 1957
The Bahá’í Group of Salzburg
He is happy, to hear that the Bahá’í friends from Budapest are safely installed in the United States, and that they are going to make an effort to settle in a way that will serve the work on the Home Front.
It was too bad that you lost some of the members of your much-prized Community there, just when you are trying to build up a Spiritual Assembly, but the Guardian hopes you will soon replace them with new believers recruited from the local population, in other words, permanent ones!
He attaches great importance to the creation of an Assembly in Salzburg and will pray that you may be successful in the teaching work there....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless, abundantly and continually, your high endeavours, guide every step you take, and enable you to lay a firm foundation for our beloved Faith in that city,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
17 March 1957
He fully appreciates that you are not strong enough to act as National Secretary and at the same time fulfil your functions as a member of the Auxiliary Board, and he therefore approves of your asking the National Assembly, if you are reelected on it this year, to not make you the Secretary. He does not think however that you should resign from the National Assembly if you are elected to it.
25 March 1957
Regarding the matters raised in your letter, as he wrote you before, he does not feel in this stage in the development of the Faith and the Institution of the Hands, that the Hands should request to not be elected on National Bodies, or resign from them. However, there is no reason why they cannot ask their fellow-members, if they are elected, to leave them free of the heavier administrative offices, so that they can do more in their function as Hands. There is no reason why there should not be a frank discussion of these problems before the National Assembly itself votes for its Officers.
The National Assembly is not obliged to follow the wish of the Hands.56 It is also not the Body empowered to tell the Hands what to do; they can make suggestions to them.
As regards your highly meritorious desire to pioneer behind the Iron Curtain, he does not feel that this would be advisable or in the best interests of the Faith. You should continue your work where you are in Germany, and do all you can, as a Hand and as a member of the National Body, to see that some pioneers undertake this important service.
28 March 1957
As regards the question you have asked: The Bahá’í marriage should take place the same day.
It is not necessary that this should be an occasion for a feast or publicity, although that would of course be good if it could be combined with obedience to the Laws. The most important thing is that they should have the Bahá’í ceremony, which, as you know, is extremely simple, on the same day as the other ceremony.
28 April 1957
The passing of dear George Townshend has been a real loss to the work in Europe—but what Europe has lost Asia in the Pacific has gained!
14 May 1957
He would certainly not advise you to move outside of Germany, in view of the tremendous needs in that country. However, he approves, if you find it financially possible, of your moving to Dortmund where as you say there are no Bahá’ís, and which is one of Germany’s major cities. This would indeed be rendering the Faith a valuable service at this time in setting an example to others. Either Dortmund or Berlin would be highly acceptable, whichever would be easiest for you.
28 May 1957
To the Youth who were present in Aachen on May 19, 1957.
He was very happy to see that so many of the Bahá’í Youth had gathered together to study the Teachings, and hopes such meetings will be held often throughout Germany.
The believers, especially the young ones, should always remember that the first thing the non-Bahá’ís are going to notice in us is our character; therefore, the highest standard of moral conduct and courtesy should be shown forth by the youth, in order to attract the hearts of other people, and, through arousing their admiration, create in them a desire to know more about our beloved Faith, and eventually to arise to serve it.
He will pray for you all, that you may be successful in your labours, to give the Glad Tidings of Bahá’u’lláh to the young people....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your efforts, guide and sustain you, and aid you to win great victories in the service of His Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
31 May 1957
To the Bahá’ís of Salzburg
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your letter of May 16th was received, and the beloved Guardian wishes to assure you of how happy he is over the formation of the Salzburg Assembly, and to see that you not only have nine Bahá’ís but ten Bahá’ís!
He hopes that during the coming months, you will each attract many new souls, enlarge your Community and confirm especially Austrians who will remain there, and free the pioneers for further services in new fields.
You may be sure he will remember you in the holy Shrines....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your valued endeavours, guide and sustain you in your historic services to His Faith, and enable you to promote its vital interests,
Your true brother,
Shoghi