Japan Will Turn Ablaze! Part 13

Praying for your spiritual advancement, Shoghi

(April 18, 1930)

[Letter of October 8, 1931]

He (the Guardian) sincerely hopes that the translation of Dr. Esslemont's book will proceed at a rapid pace, because no real advance can be made in the teaching work without proper literature, and this book is undoubtedly the most comprehensive exposition of the Teachings yet written. The language should, however, be worthy of the theme otherwise it would not make the necessary appeal to the educated cla.s.ses.

Shoghi Effendi was very pleased to hear that Keith (Ransom-Kehler) has achieved some success in j.a.pan. The explicit promise of Baha'u'llah is that G.o.d's spirit will a.s.sist all those who, with a sincere and detached heart, arise to spread the teachings. There is no reason for astonishment therefore if the teachers of the Cause find success in their work. May G.o.d's spirit continue to sustain them.

(signed by Ruhi Afnan)

(in the Guardian's handwriting)

Dear and valued co-worker:

I am eagerly awaiting the news of the publication in j.a.panese of that prized book which Dr. Esslemont has so wonderfully laboured to produce.

When received it will adorn the newly-restored mansion of Baha'u'llah adjoining His Shrine at Bahji. May the Beloved sustain and bless your magnificent efforts.

Your true brother, Shoghi

(October 8, 1931)

[Letter of January 25, 1932]

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated December 29, 1931 bearing the sad news of the death of Mr. Susumu Aibara(25) . It is surely a great loss to have a young man of his ability and standing leave the group. Our sole comfort should be in this that he is at present in a higher spiritual realm enjoying a blissful being far beyond our powers to appreciate. Shoghi Effendi hopes that the members of his family will view his pa.s.sing in that light and appease their sorrows.

Please convey to them all Shoghi Effendi's sympathies.

(January 25, 1932)

[Letter of February 11, 1933]

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to ... inform you of the safe arrival of the one hundred copies of Dr. Esslemont's book that you sent him. The book surely looks beautiful and is fully befitting the message it conveys.

The Guardian hopes that now that this task is completed the friends in j.a.pan will make a stupendous effort to spread it throughout the country and get it to the attention of those seeking souls who are yearning to find some source of spiritual light and help to which they can turn for guidance and salvation.

With such a comprehensive book at hand ready for distribution, the Faith of Baha'u'llah should spread in no time. The friends should become conscious of this, and, uniting their efforts, arise in an unprecedented form to spread the Teachings.

(signed by Ruhi Afnan)

(in the Guardian's handwriting)

Dear and much-prized co-worker:

With feelings of intense delight and grat.i.tude, I have sent, this very afternoon the books you have sent me to the library of the Mansion of Baha'u'llah at Bahji. They will be placed by myself side by side with the fourteen different printed versions of "The New Era", and will be a constant reminder of your perseverance, your magnificent efforts, your exemplary devotion to the Cause of G.o.d. It is a historic service that you have rendered to the Abha Threshold. I urge you to send one copy to each of the most important Baha'i centers in East and West. Its effect, I feel, will be remarkable.

Your true brother, Shoghi

(February 11, 1933)

[Letter of June 8, 1933]

He (the Guardian) has directed me to thank you on his behalf and to a.s.sure you of his abiding appreciation of your unforgettable services to the Cause in j.a.pan.

He was very glad to learn that you have decided to leave for Honolulu as he firmly believes that such a visit will give you a chance to rest and will enable you, on your return to j.a.pan, to better serve the Cause. There should always be a limit to self-sacrifice.

(signed by H. Rabbani)

(in the Guardian's handwriting)

Dear and valued co-worker:

I immensely appreciate your outstanding services in those far-away islands, and I will pray that you may be a.s.sisted to resume in the not distant future your manifold and valued activities in the service of our beloved Faith. Your name will forever remain a.s.sociated with the rise of the Faith and its establishment in j.a.pan, and the record of your incessant and splendid endeavors will shed on its annals a l.u.s.tre that time can never dim.

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

(June 8, 1933)

[Letter of November 1, 1934]

The gratifying news of your projected trip to j.a.pan has particularly strengthened (the Guardian's) hopes for the future expansion of your labours in that country. He trusts that on your return to that land you will find the friends more eager and ready than ever to carry on the teaching work which ever since your departure to the States seems to have been progressing slowly.

The Guardian will fervently pray for the success of your teaching trip, and he hopes that its results will be such as to encourage you to prolong your stay in j.a.pan until a strong, active and well-united community of believers has been duly established. Your patient, sustained and selfless efforts in this connection, he is convinced, are bound to produce satisfactory and abiding results.

(signed by H. Rabbani)

(in the Guardian's handwriting)

Dearly beloved co-worker:

I wish to add a few words in person in order to reaffirm my deep sense of grat.i.tude to you for all that you have achieved and for your determination to carry on the work that you have so many years so splendidly initiated.

I trust and pray that you may be fully guided and a.s.sisted to fulfill your heart's dearest wish.

Your true brother, Shoghi