Chapter 24
18 October 1948
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter of Aug. 29th, with translation of some enclosures, was received by our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
Regarding the matter of the Fund for Germany now held in?ihran: Unfortunately the exchange rate of the Persian Tuman into Swiss (or American or British) money is extremely unfavourable, and he considers that your loss would be far too great to transfer, at the present time, the entire sum from?ihran to Switzerland. It is also extremely difficult to get money out of Persia, which now has financial restrictions similar to so many other countries. However, he is investigating at the present moment the possibility of having a sum to meet your immediate requirements transfered from Persia to Switzerland, and the moment he can arrange this he will notify your a.s.sembly.
The devoted services of the Baha'i youth rendered in clearing the Hazira property of debris, was much appreciated by him, and he wishes you to please let them know he admires their spirit which is demonstrated in such a useful manner!
He was very sorry to hear of the sad and untimely death of dear Mrs.
Brauns-Forel. Her services, always rendered with such unflagging devotion, will be sorely missed by her co-workers in Germany. He hopes her daughter will arise to take her mother's place in the active work of the Cause.
He trusts that now your a.s.sembly is able to render more active a.s.sistance to the Austrian believers and to stimulate them in their work. Recent reports seem to indicate the Vienna Baha'is are more active and determined than ever before in their history.
He hopes the construction of the Hazira in Frankfurt will now be able to go ahead at a rapid pace. You may be sure he will do all he can to a.s.sist you in this essential enterprise.
You are all remembered in his prayers with much love, and he is very pleased over the way the Faith is progressing in Germany....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers:
I am delighted to hear of the energetic steps that have been taken in recent months in connexion with the establishment of the Haziratu'l-Quds in Frankfurt. This inst.i.tution, the center round which all national Baha'i activities must revolve, should be made the object of the special care and solicitude of the entire community of the German believers in
Your true and grateful brother Shoghi
LETTER OF 20 OCTOBER 1948 (SUMMER SCHOOL)
20 October 1948 (Summer School)
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated September 9th, was received, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was delighted to see so many of the dear German friends had attended the school, for in this loving Baha'i a.s.sociation and study a closer unity is created amongst the believers, and new plans born for the teaching work that lies ahead.
He urges you all to exert every effort to spread the Faith in these dark days of crisis the world is still pa.s.sing through, for in the teachings of Baha'u'llah alone can the people find hope, peace and comfort.
He a.s.sures you all of his most loving prayers on your behalf, and for the success of your devoted services....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers:
Your joint message truly cheered my heart and served to remind me of the great company of my dearly-beloved brethren who have toiled so devotedly in the past, and are so energetically pursuing their historic tasks at present, in the service of our glorious Faith, I will continue to supplicate the Beloved to bless continually your high endeavours, to enable you to extend the range of your splendid activities, and to lend a tremendous impetus to the onward march of the Faith in your promising country,
Your true and grateful brother Shoghi
LETTER OF 20 OCTOBER 1948
20 October 1948
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated Sept. 15th, was received, and he wishes me to thank you on his behalf for your loving thought in sending him birthday greetings.
He was very pleased to see the Esslingen School program, and to note that four sessions were being held in the summer. This school is a rallying point for the German believers, and greatly stimulates their unity and their enthusiasm.
The world outlook is so dark and over-clouded that the believers must labour day and night to give the people the message of Baha'u'llah, and instill in them some hope for the future. We can see more and more of the predictions of the beloved Master being fulfilled, as humanity persists in its waywardness and spiritual blindness. There is no other remedy except this Cause.
He a.s.sures you all of his most loving prayers, and he deeply appreciates your devoted services....
P.S. I am sending through you the Guardian's answer to the Esslingen Summer School attendants, as their envelope had no address on it. Please share it with the friends.
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved of our hearts guide and sustain you, reward you abundantly for your valiant deeds, aid you to extend the range of your beneficent services, and enable you to contribute, continually and effectively, to the multiplication and consolidation of the inst.i.tutions of our glorious Faith,
Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi
LETTER OF 14 SEPTEMBER 1948
14 September 1948
COMMUNICATE GERMAN NATIONAL a.s.sEMBLY THE FOLLOWING INFORM ENTIRE GERMAN BAHAI COMMUNITY DISOBEDIENCE MISCONDUCT FAITHLESS BROTHER HUSSAYN NECESSITATED HIS EXPULSION. OWING HIS POSSIBLE VISIT GERMANY AND HIS PERSISTENT a.s.sOCIATION WITH COVENANT BREAKERS WARN BELIEVERS ANY COMMUNICATION WITH HIM CONSt.i.tUTES DISLOYALTY TO COVENANT ABDUL-BAHA.
SHOGHI RABBANI
LETTER OF 21 DECEMBER 1948