The Unfolding Destiny of the British Bahai Community Part 17

29 November 1929

My dear Mr. Simpson,

Thank you so much for your letter of Sept. 19th and for the copy of the "Hidden Words" you sent me later.

Evidently enough I kept them until our Guardian's arrival and I now hasten to reply.

While he is well pleased with the booklet as it is now produced, Shoghi Effendi wishes me to express his regret that by appearing so soon, it has rendered the sale of a few thousand copies now in the hands of the American Publications Committee, extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Of course the Guardian appreciates your efforts and understands perfectly your desire to have a more correct and a better printed copy of the work on hand. It is with that view that he is sending enclosed a cheque to the value of 19 for which kindly send him leather bound copies exactly like the specimen you sent.

Shoghi Effendi has returned much refreshed and has again taken up his work with renewed strength. He is much hopeful of your new centre in Regent Street or thereabouts, and he trusts that it will mark a turning point in the history of the Cause in England-from happy tea-parties at individual homes, into a group of less personal but eager, active and thoughtful workers co-operating in a common service. It is a basis upon which healthy progress is possible....

Letter of 26 December 1929

26 December 1929

EARNESTLY APPEAL ENGLISH FRIENDS REINFORCE HEROIC EXERTIONS AMERICAN BRETHREN IN BEHALF MA_SH_RIQU'L-A_DH_KaR.

SHOGHI January 1930 (Circa) Through Mrs. Coles:-

"...I am delighted with your new centre, and will pray at the Holy Shrines from the depths of my heart for its progress. Kindly a.s.sure my dear English friends of my heartfelt appreciation of their staunchness, their renewed activity, their self-sacrificing endeavours. I will continue to pray for their individual, as well as their collective efforts, from the bottom of my heart."

Shoghi Through Miss Challis:-

"I rejoice to hear of the new centre in London. I will pray for its extension and growth and for the success of your manifold activities...."

Shoghi Through his Secretary to Sister Challis:-

"Now that the London centre has been transferred to a better locality we hope it will attract more attention and add to the number of attendants at the meetings. We should however, bear in mind that no matter how important the hall may be-the talks given and the unity manifested are of far greater significance."

"Shoghi Effendi has a special affection for the English friends, for he has been in their midst and knows most of them personally. He therefore wishes and prays fervently that their number may increase, and that they may render distinguished services to the Cause. Please a.s.sure them all of his prayers and extend to them his loving greetings." (Taken from National Spiritual a.s.sembly Minutes of 8 January 1930)

Letter of 31 January 1930

31 January 1930

With regard to change in the official t.i.tle of the N.S.A. he is pleased that the matter has been definitely decided. (i.e.-"National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of the British Isles.")

In connection with the important question of collating and editing the Master's Tablets to the friends in the British Isles ... Shoghi Effendi has already wired his reply. (i.e.-Cablegram Haifa February 3 1930-

"WELCOME TOWNSHEND'S SPLENDID SUGGESTION REGARDING COLLECTION TABLETS, ADVISE SEND ORIGINALS TO HIM FOR PRESENT.")

Shoghi Effendi wants me to express his pleasure over such an undertaking, and he sincerely trusts that it will result into a splendid achievement for posterity-a mine of endless knowledge, illumination, and insight into Baha'i teachings and outlook.

He wishes me to add that whereas he welcomes the work on the Tablets the friends have received from the Master he does not wish anything done on notes taken or personal accounts of visits.

The reason for this is the fear that a set of conflicting accounts of the same topic may crop up in various parts of the world from friends who have drawn largely from their memory, or have based their understanding of the Master's opinion or words, upon the imperfect, not to say faulty, renderings of the interpreters of those days.

Such accounts are not only impossible to verify but may lead to much perplexity and const.i.tute a set of traditions that may not prove healthy....

Letter of 29 April 1930

29 April 1930

CONVEY CONVENTION DELEGATES AND FRIENDS a.s.sEMBLED FEAST OF RIDVaN LOVING APPRECIATION REMEMBRANCE HOLY SHRINES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 20 September 1930

20 September 1930

The work of collecting and publishing the Tablets is one of the most important tasks that this generation has undertaken, for upon it depends our true understanding of the Cause and its principles. The more we put it off, the more we are apt to lose some of the original writings. Yet important as this task may be, it is fraught with difficulties. The early translations are far from being accurate, no matter who the translator may be. Shoghi Effendi firmly believes that only Tablets with the Master's signature and in the original tongue should be recognised. Any translations or copies of them fail from having real authority. This shows the importance of collecting the original Tablets that bear the Master's signature. November 1930 (on the death of Miss Ethel J. Rosenberg, 17 November 1930)

DEEPLY GRIEVED Pa.s.sING ROSENBERG ENGLAND'S OUTSTANDING BAHa'i PIONEER WORKER. MEMORY HER GLORIOUS SERVICE WILL NEVER DIE 'ABDU'L-BAHa'S FAMILY JOIN ME IN EXPRESSING HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES HER BROTHER RELATIVES URGE FRIENDS HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL SERVICE.

SHOGHI Editor's Note:

From the end of 1930 until early 1934 there are no records of cables or letters from the Guardian. Indeed there are very few references to the Guardian in the scanty Minutes of the National a.s.sembly of that period.

These brief Minutes indicate that only five or six short meetings were held each year.

At the meeting of the National a.s.sembly on 12 June, 1932 it was reported that a reply had been received from Shoghi Effendi in answer to a request from a Mr Wren for some confirmation of the Lambeth Resolution on Peace.

Another letter from the Guardian was read during the September 11 meeting and it was recorded that the a.s.sembly endorsed Resolution 26 of the Lambeth Conference, 1930 "with the full sanction of Shoghi Effendi".

Letter of 24 January 1934