The Unfolding Destiny of the British Bahai Community Part 24

Letter of 24 February 1937

24 February 1937

Beloved Baha'i Brother,

I am directed by the Guardian to acknowledge the receipt of your welcome communications of the 19th January and the enclosed latest number of the "Baha'i Journal" issued by the British N.S.A., and to transmit to you, and through you to your distinguished collaborators in that body, his admiration and grat.i.tude for the quick action you have been prompted to take in connection with the formation of a Publishing Company under the direction of your National a.s.sembly.

The plan you have conceived is certainly bold, knowing how limited are the number and resources of the believers in England. But it nevertheless offers great possibilities of development and success, provided your a.s.sembly gives it full moral and financial support, and succeeds in stimulating the interest and obtaining the a.s.sistance of the believers outside Great Britain for its immediate and effective prosecution.

In this connection, he wishes you to a.s.sure the N.S.A. of his whole-hearted and full approval of their suggestion to solicit subscriptions from the Baha'is of those countries who normally order literature from them. He feels it, indeed, to be the duty of every believer who has the means, and has also the interest of the Cause at heart, to a.s.sist in any capacity, and to any extent he can, in carrying out the British N.S.A.'s project. Nothing can demonstrate more effectively the spirit of solidarity and self-sacrifice which should animate the friends than their response to this call. Aside from the fact that London is the heart of the British Empire, and as such commands an importance which few other centres in the world can equal and should consequently be raised to the status of one of the leading outposts of the Faith, it should be stated that now that the Administrative Order has at last been firmly established and is being increasingly consolidated in that centre, it is the supreme obligation of all the believers, both in Great Britain and other European countries, to a.s.sist by every means in hastening this internal development and growth. And it is quite evident that the formation of a Publishing Company along the lines suggested by the British N.S.A. is the greatest a.s.set to such a development and expansion of the Cause in London and throughout England as a whole.

It is the Guardian's hope that the response which the friends will make to this project will be such as to mark the inauguration of a new era of expansion of the Cause throughout the British Isles, and the rest of the far-flung British Empire. He would appeal to every believer to carefully ponder upon the responsibilities which he is called upon to shoulder in order to meet this supreme and vital obligation.

Letter of 5 March 1937

5 March 1937(26)

Dear and prized co-worker,

Your subsequent letters dated Jan. 29th enclosing the minutes of the National a.s.sembly meeting, and February 26th enclosing copy of the Baha'i Journal No. 5 have also reached me and have filled my heart with joy and grat.i.tude for the splendid services of your a.s.sembly and the efforts they are systematically and vigorously exerting for the initiation, the expansion and consolidation of Baha'i administrative activities and enterprises at this auspicious stage in the evolution of the Faith in your country. I fully approve the publication in your Journal of the pa.s.sages quoted in your letter of February 26th. I am enclosing the sum of 50 as my contribution towards the Fund which is being raised for the establishment of the Publishing Company for the success of which I cherish the brightest hopes. I will especially pray for the removal of every obstacle that may impede its formation and development, and for the realisation of your highest hopes in this connection. Persevere in your great enterprise, and rest a.s.sured that the almighty power of Baha'u'llah will, if you remain steadfast in your purpose, enable you to attain your goal.

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

Letter of 25 March 1937

25 March 1937

ANNOUNCE a.s.sEMBLIES CELEBRATION MARRIAGE BELOVED GUARDIAN IMPERISHABLE HONOUR BESTOWED UPON HANDMAID OF BAHa'U'LLaH RuHiYYIH _KH_aNUM MISS MARY MAXWELL.

(Sgd. ZiaiYYIH, MOTHER OF THE GUARDIAN)

Letter of 2 April 1937

2 April 1937

GREATLY VALUE MESSAGE ABIDING LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 1 May 1937

1 May 1937

Dear Mr. Hofman,

I am charged by our beloved Guardian to acknowledge the receipt of your communications of March 21st, 31st and of April 22nd with enclosures.

He has received and read with particular interest the latest issue of the Journal issued by the British N.S.A. and is indeed happy to realise that the teaching work, now so ably reinforced by the valuable support extended to it by dear Mrs. Bishop, is steadily progressing in England. He is most pleased over the progress of the Devonshire Group, and wishes you to a.s.sure its members, and particularly Mrs. Stevens, of his deep appreciation of their efforts for the propagation of the Message in that highly promising centre from which, he hopes, the light of the Cause will radiate throughout South Western England which has heretofore remained closed to the Faith. He would urge your N.S.A. to continue giving your attention to the problem of finding ways and means to further widen the interest that has been aroused, and is fervently praying that your efforts in this connection may bear the richest and most satisfactory results.

Concerning the N.S.A.'s Publishing Fund; the Guardian has learned with satisfaction that the friends are gradually awakening to the realisation that it const.i.tutes an invaluable support to the extension of the teaching work throughout the British Isles. He hopes that the flow of contributions will steadily increase, so as to enable your a.s.sembly to carry out its important project. He is rejoiced to hear that you have taken the necessary steps to have the Company legally established-which step, he hopes, will pave the way for the registration of the N.S.A. as an independent religious organisation....

[From the Guardian:]

With the a.s.surance of my continued prayers for the realisation of your highest hopes, and for the uninterrupted progress and consolidation of your teaching and administrative activities,

Your true brother, Shoghi

Letter of 3 May 1937 (Convention)

3 May 1937 (Convention)

a.s.sURE DELEGATES FRIENDS LOVING APPRECIATION REMEMBRANCE HOLY SHRINES SUPPLICATING UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS TEACHING FIELD ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 10 July 1937

10 July 1937

Dear Mr. Hofman,

I am charged by our beloved Guardian to acknowledge the receipt of your communications of May 3rd and 29th written on behalf of the British N.S.A.