Letters from the Guardian to Australia and New Zealand Part 10

With warm Baha'i greetings

Yours in the service of the beloved Faith, R. Rabbani.

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly-beloved co-workers:

In these days when perils are increasingly threatening that far-off continent, the most distant outpost of our beloved Faith, my thoughts turn with deepening anxiety, solicitude, and love to those who are so valiantly holding aloft the banner of the Cause of Baha'u'llah. I appeal to every one of them, and particularly to the members of the a.s.semblies who safeguard their interests, not to allow any disturbance, suffering, or anxiety to dim the splendour of their faith, to deflect them from their high purpose, to cause any division in their ranks, to interfere with the steady consolidation and expansion of their activities and inst.i.tutions. I will specially pray that the work they have magnificently initiated, and so marvellously and soundly developed may suffer no setback, but rather continue to develop and yield its destined fruit. Persevere and rest a.s.sured.

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi.

LETTER OF FEB. 23RD, 1942

Haifa, Feb. 23rd, 1942.

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your letter, with enclosures, of Nov. 8th reached the Guardian safely, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

His thoughts and prayers are very often with the Australian Baha'is in these difficult and dangerous times. They are now facing a much more acute situation than hitherto. But whatever of trial and affliction the immediate future may hold for them, we know that the destiny of mankind is in the firm grasp of Baha'u'llah, and that He will guide it to its ultimate and highest goal. This a.s.surance is more precious than life itself, it is our anchor in every difficulty and trial.

The Guardian was very happy to know that the work in Brisbane is progressing, and that the Cause is more and more coming before the public and reaching the attention of prominent people.

He feels the believers must continue to do their utmost to acquaint their fellow-citizens with the teachings, that they may at least hear of the Baha'i ideals, whether they are ready to accept them yet or not.

The recent meeting of the National Spiritual a.s.sembly must have been of great benefit to all the members and to the work of the Cause in general.

Their responsibility in these days is greater than ever, but Shoghi Effendi feels sure they will be guided and protected and continue to spread and safe-guard the Faith in those distant lands.

He a.s.sures you, and all the N.S.A. members, of his deep appreciation for your untiring services, and his loving and ardent prayers. He will beseech for you all blessings and protection in the Holy Shrines.

With loving Baha'i greetings,

Yours in His service, R. Rabbani.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

As the diffulties and problems facing the valiant and high-minded supporters and upholders of the Faith in Australia and New Zealand multiply, my thoughts and prayers turn increasingly towards them, in loving admiration for the work they have performed and will continue to perform in the future. Adversity, in whatever form, will, I feel confident, now that they have laid an una.s.sailable basis for the Faith, in their hearts and through their inst.i.tutions, serve to heighten the ardour of their devotion, and reinforce the foundation of their spiritual community life. They should persevere, redouble their efforts, close their ranks, intensify their individual as well as collective teaching activities, and defend even more tenaciously and courageously the tenets, claims and inst.i.tutions of their Faith. Measureless blessings will crown their exertions if they persevere, and face heroically the challenge, the problems, and the perplexities of the present hour.

Your true brother, Shoghi.

LETTER OF APRIL 18TH, 1942

Haifa, April 18th, 1942.

Dear Baha'i Sister:

The Guardian has instructed me to answer your two letters of Jan. 15th and 24th, and to acknowledge the receipt of the enclosed letter of Mrs. Dunn.

He was delighted to learn that the New Zealand members were able to make the trip to Australia, and that such a highly satisfactory N.S.A. meeting was held, in such a spirit of love and harmony. No doubt this experience will prove of great value, not only to the National a.s.sembly, but also to the work of the Cause in the days to come.

Regarding the various matters you refer to in your letters: The Guardian highly approves of the very kind and helpful arrangements made by Dr.

Bolton, by which his property at Yerrinbool will pa.s.s to the Faith at his death and be used, according to the requirements of a future date, as dictated by the discretion of the N.S.A. It is better that the believers, subject to the judgements of the N.S.A., be left free to select any spot that will prove most convenient for the majority for their summer-schools.

Regarding the Summer-Schools in general; although there is no objection to their being under the direct management of a special Committee elected for that purpose, they must be generally supervised by the N.S.A. in respect to policy, etc. In other words they must be considered as a national and not a purely local inst.i.tution.

For purposes of convenience the N.S.A. may appoint as members of such Committees, those who are situated near the Summer-Schools and are able to pay direct attention to their affairs.

Concerning individual Baha'is' letters to the Guardian and his replies; the friends are free to write to the Guardian when they feel the urge to do so. However, for the believers to suppose that the Guardian's letters to them, however full of loving encouragement they may be, give them any special powers or authority to go against or ignore the wishes of their local or national a.s.sembly, is to grossly misinterpret his true meaning.

The Guardian has been at great pains to build up the administrative order and teach the friends how to use it. How could he possibly himself act in such a way as to ignore or belittle the functions of these bodies? He often encourages believers to work, to teach, to pursue some plan they propose in their letters to him but this does not mean a veto of the a.s.sembly's rights, or that the individual thus becomes free to ignore its authority. He trusts this will make the matter quite plain to the friends.

Regarding the matter of Mother Dunn's letter; the N.S.A., will, he feels sure, do all in their power to allay the fears of Mother Dunn and smooth out any misunderstandings that may arise. He feels, however, that you should point out to Mother Dunn that if, at any future date, the believers of Australia and New Zealand should wish to remove the remains of Father Dunn and herself to a beautiful site in a Baha'i cemetery, or any other chosen spot, they cannot do it without some legal authorization. Just at present, after an infinite amount of red tape being gotten through, the Egyptian N.S.A. has at last succeeded in getting arrangements made for the transfer of Lua Getsinger's and Mirza Abu'l-Fadl's bodies to the new Baha'i Cemetery. It is to ensure success and save trouble in the future, that your a.s.sembly is asking her to delegate certain powers to it in this matter. He feels sure she will cooperate fully when she understands the matter.

In view of the criticalness of the times, the great issues facing the entire human race, and the uncertainty of what perils and trials may yet remain ahead of us to be endured, the Guardian feels, that the sooner Father Dunn's memorial is erected the better. Mother Dunn may rest a.s.sured in her heart that future believers of Australia will know how to honour and cherish dear Father Dunn's grave; for the time being, though, it seems to him, it would be wise to complete whatever arrangements are under way as speedily as possible, subject, of course, to her acceptance, as he does not want her to be distressed or unhappy over this matter.

The Guardian would be very glad to receive as soon as possible photographs of Father Dunn's grave upon its completion, to be placed in the Mansion of Baha'u'llah at Bahji.

He a.s.sures you all that he feels the greatest confidence in your ability to aid the believers of Australia and New Zealand to weather all storms during the dark days we are pa.s.sing through. The friends of those two countries have amply displayed their deep loyalty to the Faith, their profound dedication to its Divine Mission, their adherence to its laws and inst.i.tutions. He always thinks of them with a heart at rest and feelings of deep affection.

Rest a.s.sured that his loving prayers will continue to be offered on their behalf, and for you and your fellow members of the N.S.A., who are serving with such devotion and self-sacrifice the Holy Faith.

With warm Baha'i Greetings and love, R. Rabbani.

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly-beloved friends:

The spirit manifested by the valiant supporters of the Faith in Australia and New Zealand is most encouraging, highly meritorious, and truly exemplary. The work they have achieved, the plans they are devising, the hopes they cherish for the future, fill me with admiration and evoke my deepest grat.i.tude. The Beloved will a.s.suredly continue to illumine their path, to sustain their efforts, and to bless their accomplishments in these days of unprecedented stress, anxiety, and peril. I will continue to supplicate for them all His abundant and imperishable blessings.

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi.

LETTER OF MARCH 19TH, 1943