Chapter 29
Dear and valued co-workers:
The progress achieved in recent months, in both the teaching field and the consolidation of national and local administrative inst.i.tutions, by the German Baha'i community is highly exhilarating and has served to deepen my feelings of admiration for its members who have so faithfully arisen to compensate for the years of enforced inactivity resulting from the repressive policy followed during the last world conflict. The one dark cloud on an otherwise bright horizon has been the disabilities suffered by their brethren and compatriots in the Eastern zone of their divided land and their virtual separation from them at a time when their close a.s.sociation and collaboration would have greatly reinforced the foundations of their common Faith and redounded to its fame and glory.
The field now stretching before the believers const.i.tuting the major part of a sundered community is, however, still so vast, its needs so great and its spiritual receptivity so p.r.o.nounced that they cannot afford to either relax for a moment in their efforts or hesitate in the prosecution of their sacred task. To publicize the Faith and disseminate its literature; to lend an ever-increasing impetus to the multiplication and consolidation of its nascent inst.i.tutions; to accelerate the incorporations of firmly established a.s.semblies; to overcome by any means in their power the obstacles obstructing the completion of their national administrative headquarters; to persevere in their efforts to guide, encourage and strengthen the community of their brethren in Austria; to prosecute with diligence and determination the Plan they have initiated; to remove, once and for all, every trace of inharmony and of misunderstanding which may linger among some of the members of the community; to forge fresh links with the newly fledged a.s.semblies in the goal countries of the European continent and their subsidiary inst.i.tutions; to reinforce the ties binding them in particular, to their sole sister national a.s.sembly in Europe and other Baha'i national a.s.semblies in general-these may be regarded as the outstanding and immediate obligations devolving upon the national elected representatives of a community which in the concluding period of the Heroic Age of the Faith has been made the recipient of such marked blessings and favours from the Center of Baha'u'llah's Covenant, which on the morrow
The record of service stretching behind them is indeed highly inspiring.
The vision of future victories at home and in distant fields now unfolding before them is even more glorious and highly challenging. The more they consecrate themselves to their present tasks, the more faithfully and promptly they fulfil the requirements of the Plan to which they stand committed, the sooner will they acquire the spiritual potentialities that will empower them to qualify for the successful conduct and the ultimate consummation of so colossal an enterprise destined to shed so great and imperishable a l.u.s.tre on both their community and nation.
That they may be vouchsafed by Providence all the strength and guidance they require for the attainment of their immediate goal, that they may prove themselves worthy of receiving a still greater measure of celestial strength and Divine sustenance for the achievement of their ultimate objective is the dearest wish of my heart and constant prayer.
Shoghi
LETTER OF 30 APRIL 1951 (CONVENTION)
30 April 1951 (Convention)
a.s.sURE a.s.sEMBLED DELEGATES LOVING FERVENT PRAYERS OFFERED SHRINES CONSOLIDATION EXPANSION MANIFOLD MERITORIOUS ACTIVITIES DEARLY LOVED VALIANT PERSEVERING GERMAN BAHAI COMMUNITY. SUPPLICATING BLESSINGS DELIBERATIONS. URGE REDOUBLE EFFORTS TO FULFIL OBJECTIVES PLAN AND PAVE WAY STILL GREATER MORE GLORIOUS ENTERPRISES.
SHOGHI
LETTER OF 26 JULY 1951
26 July 1951
INFORM GERMAN a.s.sEMBLY TRANSMITTING FURTHER CONTRIBUTION NATIONAL FUND.
SHOGHI
LETTER OF 9 AUGUST 1951
9 August 1951
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Our Guardian was very pleased to see the Post card of the new German National Baha'i Headquarters, and also to note the official cancellation mentioning the Baha'i annual Convention.
He feels sure the Faith in Germany, through means such as these, will attract an ever wider interest in the public at large.
He wishes all of you every success in your devoted services to the Cause of G.o.d....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty abundantly reward you for your labours, guide every step you take in the path of service, and aid you to extend continually the range of your accomplishments, and contribute effectively to the consolidation of the nascent inst.i.tutions of our beloved Faith,
Your true brother, Shoghi
LETTER OF 27 AUGUST 1951 (SUMMER SCHOOL)
27 August 1951 (Summer School)
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter of July 22 reached our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.
He was very happy to see the friends are now regularly enjoying the use of the National Headquarters which they constructed through so much effort and sacrifice. This marks a great step forward in the progress of the Faith in Germany, and will ever-increasingly lead to bounties and blessings.
He a.s.sures you one and all of his most loving prayers for the success of your devoted services to the Cause of G.o.d....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty reward you abundantly for your steadfast and meritorious labours, aid you to acquire a fuller understanding of the essentials of His Faith, and contribute effectively to the consolidation of its nascent inst.i.tutions,
Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi
LETTER OF 28 SEPTEMBER 1951 (SUMMER SCHOOL)
28 September 1951 (Summer School)
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your loving message was received by our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was particularly pleased to hear the sessions of the School were carried forward in an atmosphere of love and harmony, as this is the very essence of Baha'i living.