Japan Will Turn Ablaze! Part 25

The j.a.panese believers are often in his thoughts and prayers, and he is proud of their achievements, and cherishes great hopes for their future.

He will pray that your a.s.sembly may be instrumental in bringing in many new souls during the coming year.

(signed by R. Rabbani)

(in the Guardian's handwriting)

May the Almighty, whose Cause you serve so devotedly, aid you to extend continually the scope of your valued activities, and enable you to win great victories in the days to come.

Your true brother, Shoghi

(April 24, 1956)

[Letter of June 11, 1956]

He (the Guardian) was very happy to receive the copies of the j.a.panese Geppo. They are historic, marking the first Baha'i Newsletters to be published in that country. He hopes its scope will gradually widen, and it become a most effective means of stimulating the friends in j.a.pan in service to the Cause of G.o.d.

Great victories have been won by the friends in j.a.pan. He hopes during the short period between now, and when the new National a.s.sembly is formed, the friends will treble their efforts, so many many souls may find eternal life, through the teaching services of the true servants of G.o.d.

As Baha'u'llah has stated, true victory is winning the hearts of men to the Cause of G.o.d. The Guardian is praying for many more such glorious victories, so the Faith may be firmly established in that far off land, which has such a bright and promising future.

The Guardian will pray for the friends, for the success of their work. He sends his loving greetings.

(signed by Leroy Ioas)

(June 11, 1956)

[Letter of April 19, 1957]

The various materials which you sent to the Guardian he has read with great interest-the pamphlet on the recent Congress of Religions held in Tokyo, the English summaries of the important Baha'i News Geppo, and your report of the progress of the Faith in that promising country.

The Guardian is looking forward with keen antic.i.p.ation to the forthcoming Ridvan period, as it marks the establishment of thirteen new National a.s.semblies; the most important of which are in the Pacific area; the one centered in Tokyo, the one in Djakarta, and the third in New Zealand.

The Guardian is well pleased with the teaching work in j.a.pan. He hopes this branch of your service will be greatly reinforced and stimulated by the establishment of the new National a.s.sembly.

He will pray for the friends, for j.a.pan, and for the success of the labors of the Faithful.

He sends his loving greetings.

(signed by Leroy Ioas)

(April 19, 1957)

To the Local Spiritual a.s.sembly of Hyogo-ken (prefecture]

[Letter of January 2, 1956]

It is indeed a great privilege for the Baha'is of j.a.pan, so remote from the Holy Land, to have two of their most devoted teachers come to Haifa on pilgrimage; and he (the Guardian) feels sure that they will carry back to the work in that important Center in the Pacific area a fresh impetus and a new inspiration.

It is also a source of great satisfaction to him that dear Fujita has returned to serve here. It brings the j.a.panese believers even closer to the International Center to have a representative of their nation working for the Cause at its World Center.

He a.s.sures you all that he will pray for the success, not only of the work in Hyogo-ken, but throughout j.a.pan, and urges you and your co-workers to persevere in the face of every obstacle.

(signed by Leroy Ioas)

(in the Guardian's handwriting)

May the Almighty remove all obstacles from your path, enable you to lend a great impetus to the onward march of His Faith, and contribute to the consolidation of His inst.i.tutions.

Your true brother, Shoghi

(January 2, 1956)

[Photograph with the following caption:]

The first International Teaching Conference in Nikko, j.a.pan, 1955. Mr.

Fujita is holding the frame containing the "Greatest Name". Hand of the Cause Mr. _Kh_adem, who was the Guardian's representative, is behind Mr.

Fujita. Miss Alexander is holding the picture of 'Abdu'l-Baha. This conference marked a turning point in the Baha'i Faith in Asia, especially in j.a.pan.

13: Letters to Individuals

Excerpts from letters to j.a.panese believers, 19471957

[Letter of October 15, 1947]

To Mr. Saichiro Fujita

After so many years of silence our beloved Guardian was very happy to receive your postcard.