Chapter 40
LETTER OF 10 FEBRUARY 1955
10 February 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The Beloved Guardian has directed that I write you in connection with the Temple project for Germany.
He is anxious to receive the latest word with regard to the purchase of the site for the Temple, hoping all the problems have now cleared up, or will soon be cleared up and owners.h.i.+p be vested with your body.
He also feels that you should proceed with the preparation of designs for the Temple, which he understands you will arrange by means of a compet.i.tion of architects. He feels you should proceed with this phase of the Temple regardless of the question of land owners.h.i.+p. Time is moving along rapidly, and he hopes it will not be too long before the design is chosen.
In pa.s.sing, there is one point to be mentioned; and that is that the Temple in Wilmette does not const.i.tute a pattern for other Temples, nor does it represent a new type of Baha'i architecture. Therefore it is not necessary for your architects to endeavour to follow that pattern. What should be done is to follow the Master's instructions as to the Temple, and then create something that will be desirable and appropriate for your area....
LETTER OF 23 FEBRUARY 1955
23 February 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian is very closely watching the development of the Ten Year Crusade on all fronts. One of the goals of the second phase of the Ten Year Crusade is the incorporation of local and national a.s.semblies.
The Guardian is hoping that your National a.s.sembly may take this important matter in hand, so that during the coming Baha'i year, as many as possible of your local
Will you please send me a report for the Guardian of any activities along this line which are underway; and if not, what can be done to set such a program in motion.
It is needless for me to comment of course on the fact that another one of the major objectives of the second phase of the Ten Year Crusade is the multiplication of Baha'i centers, and particularly the development of Baha'i groups into a.s.semblies. The way in which this can be best accomplished is by the Baha'is in the larger centers dispersing to weak areas or to entirely new centers.
The Guardian sends you his loving greetings....
LETTER OF 23 FEBRUARY 1955
23 February 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Please refer to copy of my letter of April 20th to Dr. Giachery, with a copy to you, with regard to specifications for Baha'i Temples.
The Beloved Guardian has asked me to write to you, explaining that while the question of a Dome for a Baha'i Temple, is not specified in the Teachings, yet he feels that for the Temple in Germany, you should plan a building with a central Dome. He thinks it would enhance the beauty of the structure now being planned for Frankfurt....
LETTER OF 8 MARCH 1955
8 March 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian is very anxious to secure, as quickly as possible, data concerning the Haziratu'l-Quds which have been acquired in connection with the goals of the Ten Year Crusade. To this end, he would very greatly appreciate your sending me by return air mail the information concerning the Haziratu'l-Quds in Vienna.
He would like to know the area of land involved, the size of the building, so far as number of rooms is concerned, the original purchase price of the Haziratu'l-Quds, the expenses of the transaction, and then the total cost.
The Guardian asks that this be sent to me by return air mail....
LETTER OF 11 MARCH 1955
11 March 1955
Dear Baha'i Sister:
Your loving letter of February 25th has just come to hand.
It was a great pleasure for me to have been able to visit the friends in Frankfurt and Stuttgart; and we will long remember the loving hospitality which was extended to us by all the friends.
I do not know what more can be done in behalf of... Certain members if the American N.S.A. are in close touch with the authorities in Was.h.i.+ngton; and if they have written you that nothing more can be done, I think that is the last word; at least I have nothing more which I can suggest.
Please give my deep love to all the members of the National a.s.sembly....
LETTER OF 29 MARCH 1955
29 March 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends: