Chapter 37
I hope it reaches you in time for the Convention....
LETTER OF 30 APRIL 1954
30 April 1954
INFORM GERMAN a.s.sEMBLY 11400 SQUARE METERS SUFFICIENT TEMPLE SITE.
SHOGHI
LETTER OF 2 MAY 1954
2 May 1954
WELCOME REDEDICATION DELEGATES URGE INTENSIFICATION EFFORTS ATTAINMENT GOALS LOVING REMEMBRANCES SHRINES.
SHOGHI
LETTER OF 28 MAY 1954
28 May 1954
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you concerning an action recently taken by your National a.s.sembly, as published in your January-February Baha'i News, that non-Baha'is may attend 19-Day Feasts if "the earnestness of their interest in the Faith" is vouched for by a declared believer.
The Guardian wishes me to direct your attention to the fact that none of the inst.i.tutions of the Faith nor its cardinal principles may be changed under any circ.u.mstances.
The 19-Day Feast is an inst.i.tution of the Cause, first established by the Bab, later confirmed by Baha'u'llah, and now made a prominent part of the administrative order of the Faith. These 19-Day Feasts are for the Baha'is, and the Baha'is exclusively, and no variation from this principle is permitted.
Thus the Guardian feels you should rescind the action taken by your a.s.sembly in opening the Feasts to "near Baha'is", as it is not consistent with the spirit of the administrative order for non-Baha'is or near Baha'is to attend the 19-Day Feasts, particularly the administrative portion of the Feast.
The Guardian realizes the spirit which animated you in making the suggested proposal, in order that the teaching work might go forward more aggressively; but he feels in the long run it would be detrimental to the Faith, and therefore should be rescinded as indicated above.
The Guardian sends you his loving greetings....
LETTER OF 8 JUNE 1954
8 June 1954
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian has been greatly pleased with the achievements of the friends throughout the world during the first year of the Ten-Year Crusade. Victories were won in all parts of the world, and on many fronts.
The Faith was established in 101 countries of the world, bringing the light of guidance to 229 countries and islands.
We now enter the second phase of the Ten-Year Crusade.
The Guardian's message
One of the important items was the purchase of Haziratu'l-Quds for future National Spiritual a.s.semblies. The Guardian feels that immediate steps should be taken to fulfil a part of this project. In all, there are 49 Haziratu'l-Quds to be purchased-4 already are owned. He feels that during the second year of the Crusade, 17 additional Haziratu'l-Quds should be purchased. These should not be elaborate structures, but modest houses, which can serve at the present time, as local Haziratu'l-Quds, but which will be converted into National Haziratu'l-Quds as soon as the National a.s.semblies are formed.
The Guardian feels that steps should be taken immediately to purchase the Haziratu'l-Quds in Vienna. A fund should be started so that the friends may contribute to this important project when they wish.
The Guardian has been informed that a small property has been procured in Vienna, to serve as a Headquarters. He is anxious to know if this property has been purchased, or is being rented. If it has been purchased, and is an independent property, it of course can serve temporarily as a Hazira for the local a.s.sembly, and then later be made the National Hazira. If, on the other hand, the building is being rented, and it is satisfactory, efforts should be made to purchase it. If it cannot be purchased, then some other small property should be bought. The Guardian wishes it clearly understood that a Hazira must be a piece of land owned by the Baha'is, and not a rented piece of property.
The Guardian will appreciate advice from you as quickly as possible of the steps being taken to fulfill this important task of the second phase of the Ten-Year Plan. He feels this property should be purchased during the current year....
P.S.-The Guardian requests that you inform all the friends that their most important duty at the present time is the fulfillment of the tasks of the Ten-Year Crusade. This calls for the sacrifice of local activities in order that the national and international development of the Faith may go forward uninterruptedly. No local inst.i.tutions should be started. The National a.s.sembly should see that money is not spent on local centers at this time, and the friends should be encouraged to concentrate on the national and international activities of the Faith.
LETTER OF 25 JUNE 1954
25 June 1954
Dear Baha'i Sister:
The letters of your a.s.sembly dated June 18, August 11, September 2 (4), 13, October 14, November 9 and 24, 1953, and January 16 (2), February 3, 5 (2), 7, 11, March 7, April 19, May 12 and June 19, 1954, with their enclosures, as well as the material forwarded under separate cover, have all been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He is sorry that pressure of work prevented him from writing more frequently to the National Spiritual a.s.semblies, including your own.
Indeed, he is beginning to wonder how much longer he can go on attending to the multiplying affairs of the Cause of today, and keeping up correspondence as well.
He is very pleased to see that the work in Germany is really going forward at a visibly more rapid rate. The German friends, one of the oldest Communities in Europe, so devoted and loyal, and who have suffered so much during two wars, are beginning at last to see the inst.i.tutions of their Faith emerging in their native land in a more concrete form than the realm of hope and dreams.
The national Haziratu'l-Quds, which was purchased so shortly after the end of the last world conflagration, has now been followed by the plan for the first Baha'i Temple on European soil, a truly n.o.ble and inspiring undertaking.