Chapter 39
Will you please refer to your letter of June 9th and my acknowledgment of June 28th, in which you raise certain questions. The beloved Guardian has directed me to give you the answers as follows:
Number 2: He feels your plan of giving individuals, who became Baha'is in France, but who have not yet given up their church affiliation, one year in which to do so, is satisfactory.
Number 3: Up to the age of 15 years, children are under the direction of their parents. At the age of 15, they may declare their Faith as a conviction, and be registered as Baha'i youth, whether the parents are Baha'is or not. Children under the age of 15, of Baha'i parents, who wish to attend meetings and a.s.sociate with the friends as Baha'is may do so. If non-Baha'i parents permit a child of less than 15 to attend Baha'i meetings, and in fact, to be a Baha'i, this is likewise permissible.
Number 4: The beloved Guardian instructs that whenever an a.s.sembly loses some members between the Ridvan periods, bringing the members.h.i.+p to less than 9, the a.s.sembly reverts immediately to Group status. However, when they get a sufficient number of new members to reach 9, then they immediately become an a.s.sembly again.
The beloved Guardian greatly values your devoted services to the Faith, and the manner in which you are undertaking the heavy responsibilities of propagating the Faith, as well as consolidating its inst.i.tutions.
He a.s.sures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends you his loving greetings....
LETTER OF 27 SEPTEMBER 1954 (SUMMER SCHOOL)
27 September 1954 (Summer School)
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The note of loving greeting, which was signed by all those present at the Summer School, has been received by the beloved Guardian, and this is just a brief note of acknowledgment on his behalf.
He was very happy to see that it was possible for so many of the friends to be present, and that you had the bounty of having the favored Hand of the Cause,
He sends you all his loving greetings....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your efforts, aid you to promote, at all times, the vital interests of His Faith, and contribute continually to the multiplication and consolidation of its nascent and divinely appointed inst.i.tutions,
Your true brother, Shoghi
LETTER OF 18 NOVEMBER 1954
18 November 1954
Dear Baha'i Sister:
This will acknowledge receipt of your kind letter of November 9th, advising that you have received the gift of Three Thousand Dollars, which the beloved Guardian has sent for your Temple fund.
I will inform the Guardian of your deep appreciation of his gift.
So far as the establishment of the Israel Branch of the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of Germany and Austria is concerned, there is nothing for you to do in connection therewith at this time. This matter will be handled here in the Holy Land. When it is consummated, it may be necessary and advisable for your National a.s.sembly to pa.s.s certain resolutions in connection with it, but I will inform you about this in due course.
At the moment it does not seem propitious for the establishment of further Israel Branches at this time; and the Guardian has therefore instructed that this matter be delayed a little longer. You may be sure however it will be taken care of in due course.
With loving greetings to you and all the members of the National a.s.sembly....
LETTER OF 12 DECEMBER 1954
12 December 1954
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter of November 26th was received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He is very happy to see the spirit of love and unity animating you, because without this no work can go forward in the Cause of G.o.d. Personal differences of opinion, of character etc. must melt away in the love of the friends for Baha'u'llah, and their desire to serve His Cause.
He hopes that in the near future the Vienna Community will have its Haziratu'l-Quds, to which he attaches the greatest importance, as it will be the visible sign of the firm foundation on which that Community stands.
He will pray for you all, and for the rapid spread of the Faith through your efforts....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your meritorious efforts, reward you abundantly for your valued and constant services, and enable you to achieve great and memorable victories in the days to come,
Your true brother, Shoghi
LETTER OF 10 FEBRUARY 1955
10 February 1955
Dear Mrs. Grossmann:
Your loving letter of December 27th is here on my return from Europe.
I am under the impression you asked me when in Germany whether the message of our Beloved Guardian of November 27th, should be shared with the Friends. In any event, the Guardian surely does wish this important message shared with all the Friends. While the wording of the last paragraph might seem a little obscure, yet the Guardian's intention was that all National a.s.semblies should be sent a copy, and they in turn release it to the Friends.
We have corrected the records to show that the number of declared Adherents to the Faith in Iraklion, Crete is one, and not two....