Bahai Administration Part 11

Baha'i Magazine

The Star of the West, the latest issues of which I have read with genuine satisfaction, has admittedly made a notable advance towards the ideal which the Master has set before it. Articles on broad humanitarian lines, well-conceived, adequately treated, and powerfully presented, should have their proper place in every issue together with such accounts of the history and the teachings of the Cause as will portray to the Baha'i and non-Baha'i alike the unique beauty as well as the compelling power of the Baha'i spirit. Matters political and partisan in character should be carefully avoided as they would eventually lead to entanglements that would be not only futile but positively harmful. As regards the Persian Section: I feel that in view of the severe restrictions imposed on the friends in Persia its temporary suspension would be well-advised, particularly as it makes such a disproportionate demand on the meagre resources of the friends in America.

The increasing efforts displayed by my beloved brothers and sisters in America, both individually and collectively, and the action taken by you in const.i.tuting regional Teaching Committees are of vital importance to the spread of the Cause in the present stage of our work. I feel that we should all collaborate in widening its scope, intensifying its influence, a.s.suring its continuity, and endeavoring to subordinate every other activity to this most urgent and vital task. It is our bounden duty to do all in our power to give the Cause from day to day a fuller publicity, to maintain and stimulate the interest aroused, and to concentrate at the same time our attention on a chosen few, endeavoring tactfully and persistently to make of them earnest and unreserved supporters of the Baha'i Faith.

I am deeply conscious of the manifold and unavoidable difficulties that confront you in your labors for the administration of the affairs of the Cause. Vast distances; personal professional preoccupations; insufficient number of capable and experienced teachers, unhampered by the necessity of earning their means of livelihood; the inadequacy of the means at your disposal, financial and otherwise; the prevailing tendencies in the general thought, sentiment, and manners of the people in whose midst you work-all these, though insuperable obstacles at present, will, if we stand steadfast and faithful, be one by one removed, and pave the way for the ultimate ascendency of the Cause and the fruition and triumph of our labors.

As to the projected prayer-book, I feel the need for a specially prepared compilation of the prayers of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha designed for the general public which would both prove of value for devotional purposes and act as a fresh incentive to eager and inspiring minds. I am enclosing copies of prayers which you may have not yet received and trust to send you more in future. I should be glad to receive any particulars you might wish me to consider in this connection.

Our untiring and devoted sister, Dr. Moody (the handmaid of the Most High), has had to her profound regret to discontinue for a time the invaluable and unique services she has been rendering to the Cause in Persia. She is proceeding to America, and will familiarize you with the deplorable state of affairs in that unhappy country. You will get first-hand information from her regarding the present condition and activities of our long-suffering friends in Persia, and she will take counsel with you as to the best way to meet the needs and serve the Cause of Education in ?ihran. I hope and pray that as soon as circ.u.mstances permit, the friends in America may enable Dr. Moody to take back with her to Persia suitable, capable and ardent collaborators who will contribute their distinct share towards the uplift and the advancement of their brethren and sisters in that land.

Concerning the magazine ... I feel we must make it unmistakably plain to those in charge of it that the Baha'is would gladly and gratefully respond to the invitation to cooperate with those that are responsible for it immediately they are fully satisfied that nothing is or will be published by them, whether in the magazine or elsewhere, that would, however indirectly, prejudice or reflect upon their conception of what the Baha'i Movement is or stands for. Should this be refused, and unfriendly and harmful matters be published against them, the att.i.tude of all of us should be a definite refusal to help and absolute non-interference, as well as the absence of any form of retaliation which will instead of achieving our end defeat our purpose. We should leave him in the hands of G.o.d.

As to the suggestion of the Annual Convention being held next summer at Green Acre, I believe it to be both wise and helpful, and trust that it will forge another link between the Baha'is as a body and its founders and trustees, and will serve to draw them closer and closer to the outward form as well as to the spirit of the activities of the friends in America.

The financial help extended recently by the friends in America to their fellow-workers of the Faith in Qadiyan, Punjab, has given us all intense satisfaction and made us deeply grateful. Their contribution has immediately been forwarded to them through the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of India and Burma, and will, I am certain, enhance the prestige and the influence of the Cause.

I feel that the conditions are now favorable for the circulation of the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha only in ma.n.u.script form and among recognized believers in America. Every such believer should be trusted with a single copy with the express understanding that no duplicate copies or extracts of it be made or published anywhere.

Baha'i Year Book

The suggestion made by my dear and able friend, Mr. Horace Holley, as to the compilation of an annual "Baha'i Year Book" is extremely valuable and timely. I am much impressed by it, and feel that an immediate start should be made. I believe it can best be now undertaken under the direction and supervision of your a.s.sembly until the time should come for the friends in the East and particularly Persia to partic.i.p.ate effectually in its development. I trust you will send me a copy of the skeleton of the material you propose to include, and I shall here attempt to fill up any gap and render any a.s.sistance I can to make it as comprehensive, as attractive, and as authoritative as possible.

I am sending through my dear brother, Mr. M. Mills, various relics and Tablets of our beloved 'Abdu'l-Baha, the only and priceless treasures of the devoted gardener of Baha'u'llah's Shrine, Ustad Abu'l-Qasim Khurasani, who has offered them to be preserved in his behalf in the Archives of the friends in America. I am hoping to be able to send you in future precious additions to what the Archives Committee has already collected, and may I in this connection express to those who have conceived so admirable a plan my profound admiration and heartfelt grat.i.tude.

I wish to a.s.sure you in conclusion of my readiness and genuine desire to help you and serve you to the utmost of my ability. I fully realize the enormous burden that weighs on your shoulders, and am constantly mindful of the distinct and eminent share you are contributing to the advancement of the Cause. I wish you from the depths of my heart entire satisfaction in your glorious work. Our beloved Master is surely watching from the Realm Beyond over His children whom He nurtured and loved so well, and will certainly guide you in every step you take, and crown your patient efforts with signal success.

Your brother and fellow-worker, SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine, November 27, 1924.

Letter of January 16, 1925.

To my dearly-beloved friends, the members of the American National Spiritual a.s.sembly.

My dear and precious fellow-workers:

The three communications dated November 19, November 22 and December 22, which I have recently received from that indefatigable servant of Baha'u'llah, my esteemed spiritual brother, Mr. Holley, have given me great satisfaction and have cheered and sustained me in my work. I have read most carefully the minutes of your December meeting and am particularly pleased to note in many respects the notable advance you have made in establishing the Cause upon a wider and surer foundation.

History of the Cause

With reference to the need, so often expressed, for an authentic and comprehensive history of the Cause, I am glad to inform you of the action contemplated by the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of Persia in instructing and urging the local a.s.semblies throughout the country to take immediate steps for the formation in every locality of a special committee which will seek the a.s.sistance and the testimony of the remnants of the earliest believers and pioneers of the Cause in Persia in collecting most carefully all available evidence and data for the compilation of a comprehensive, reliable and representative history of the Movement from its earliest dawn to the present day. I have communicated with the National a.s.sembly of Persia, regarding this urgent and vital necessity, and I feel the time is not far distant when a free rendering into English of this stirring narrative as well as an abridged form of it will be made available for both the Baha'is and the general public in the West.

The efforts recently displayed by the Publishing Committee so clearly reflected in the minutes of their meeting of November 2, 1924, a copy of which I have read with the closest attention, indicate the efficiency, the zeal and the determination with which they are conducting this vital branch of Baha'i activity. The scope of their effective work is expanding rapidly, and I wish to a.s.sure them one and all of my prayers for the fruition of their labors and the further development and consolidation of their work.

There have been of late no fresh developments in the situation of the House of Ba_gh_dad. The case, which is now before the court of First Instance, has been postponed for some time and we still await anxiously the decision of the court. Any hope of an immediate and final solution of this intricate problem seems for the present remote. In the event of our success the case may still be referred by our powerful opponents to the Court of Appeal-the highest in the land-and should its decision be in our favor the government may at any time-as it does not seem unlikely-decide, by retaining the keys in its custody, to postpone indefinitely the execution of such a verdict in order to allay the fierce hostility of the clerical element as well as the Shi'ite population of 'Iraq.

Should a crisis occur, I will immediately inform you and endeavor to define more clearly any measure that I feel should be taken by the American a.s.semblies to insure the security of the House of Baha'u'llah.

Baha'i Periodicals

Regarding the publication of Baha'i periodicals in America, there is no doubt whatsoever that every individual Baha'i is free to inaugurate and conduct any magazine of his own provided that nothing is published therein which in the estimation of the National a.s.sembly tends in the least to become detrimental or injurious to the highest interests of the Cause.

Within these limits, and these limits only, private initiative should in no wise be discouraged and is indeed highly praiseworthy. It is for the National a.s.sembly, however, to exercise its judgment as to what extent the resources at their disposal enable them to aid financially the individual undertakings of the friends. Should the response of the friends and a.s.semblies to the appeals made on behalf of the National Fund be prompt, sustained and generous, the National a.s.sembly will, I am certain, justify its sympathy, good-will and genuine cooperation with every individual Baha'i enterprise. I would, however, at this early state of our work, strongly urge, nay entreat, the friends not to dissipate their efforts, but to seek, after frank, mature and continuous deliberation, to arrive at a common conclusion as to the most urgent requirements and needs of the hour, and having unified their views to strive to uphold and enforce them with prompt.i.tude, wholeheartedness and understanding.

News Letter

The first printed issue of the National a.s.sembly's News Letter prepared and signed on behalf of the a.s.sembly by its able secretary, stands as a bright and eloquent testimony of his thoroughness, his industry, his conspicuous ability, his undoubted self-sacrifice. The Cause is entering upon a new era of renewed and concerted activity. Its method of presentation has unmistakably improved, and this general advancement in standard is in no small measure attributable to the distinctive capacity of your a.s.sembly. My constant prayer is that He who watches over and inspires your manifold activities may bless more richly than ever before your n.o.ble endeavors.

Temple Meetings

With reference to the matter of meeting in the Foundation Hall of the Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar, I feel that the Foundation Hall should serve the purpose both of devotional gatherings where the revealed Word of G.o.d is read and chanted, and meetings at which subjects strictly Baha'i in character are presented, propounded and discussed. I have no doubt that every conscientious and thoughtful Baha'i will scrupulously and at all times observe the commandment of Baha'u'llah and the instructions of 'Abdu'l-Baha relative to the maintenance of the sacredness, the dignity, and the universality of an edifice that will in time become G.o.d's universal House of Worship.

May the blessings of our Almighty Master rest upon your deliberations.

Your true brother, SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine, January 16, 1925.