Chapter 43
LETTER OF 19 OCTOBER 1955
19 October 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
I cabled you at the instruction of our beloved Guardian today as follows:
"Your cable October 15 presume decision temple design has no bearing on court decision October 26 is this correct? Do you have advance information as to what decision will be? Guardian has made no decision but seems to prefer Azamat by Hopfer Stuttgart. Please cable proposed height and width.
Have you any idea of cost of construction".
As the cable indicates, it is my understanding that the decision with regard to Temple design has nothing to do with the decision in the court case, but that you wished the Guardian's decision in order to a.s.sist in appropriate publicity. We hope and pray that the decision will be favorable.
In reviewing these specifications which you have set up for the Temple, the Guardian wishes to call your attention to the fact that you have included some items in the specifications which are not necessary, and in fact are definitely not a part of a Baha'i Temple, as follows:
Your No. 14-a.s.sembly Hall. The Temple is for wors.h.i.+p only, and no a.s.sembly Hall is permissible. (In America the bas.e.m.e.nt of the Temple has been temporarily used as a Foundation Hall.) This has been due to the long time taken to construct the building etc.
No. 17-Conference Rooms. Inasmuch as the Temple is for wors.h.i.+p only, conference rooms are not required.
No. 18-Library and Archives. These facilities are not required nor desirable in a House of Wors.h.i.+p.
No. 19 and 20-Kitchen Facilities. These are not required, as food is not to be served in the Temple. The Temple is for prayer and wors.h.i.+p only.
No. 27-Air Raid Shelters. These are not required.
No. 30-Caretaker's House. This is not required at the present time, as the caretaker can sleep in one of the spare rooms of the Temple.
The Guardian feels it important to direct your attention to the fact that the Temple must be built just as economically as possible, and to provide only the facilities which are prescribed for a House of Wors.h.i.+p. The Cause is under such heavy expense at the present time that we cannot undertake the construction of buildings which require too great an outlay of funds.
The Guardian would appreciate your having some preliminary estimates made just as quickly as possible of what it would cost to build the Temple designated as "Azamat". He likewise would like you to send him now just as many details as possible concerning the construction of this building, materials to be used etc.
I presume by
The Guardian would greatly value your giving him the detailed information regarding "Azamat" just as promptly as possible....
LETTER OF 28 OCTOBER 1955
28 October 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter of September 26th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
As you know, he is most happy that the believers in Vienna have their own Center, and that in a short time it will be ready for Baha'i service.
These important inst.i.tutions of the Faith are in themselves great teachers. The spirit of love and unity among the friends in discussing, arranging and carrying out the activities of the Faith in their Haziratu'l-Quds, will become as a magnet which will attract to them divine bounties. The Guardian is hoping from this Center the Faith will be carried, not only throughout Vienna, but to other cities in Austria as well....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty, Whose Cause you serve with such courage, devotion and perseverance, guide and sustain you, and aid you to render His Faith notable services in the days to come,
Your true brother, Shoghi
LETTER OF 10 NOVEMBER 1955
10 November 1955
Dear Baha'i Friend:
The beloved Guardian has reviewed very carefully your recent letter dealing with the designs for the Temple to be built in Germany. He wishes the following explanations to be made to you, and I am therefore enumerating them, so that there may be no misunderstanding.
1. The Guardian has not definitely chosen the Temple design "Azamat" as the one for the Temple in Germany. Of the submissions which have been made up to this time, he feels this is the one that is best susceptible of development for the final design of the Temple. He wishes it clear however that up to the present he has not definitely accepted this design.
2. The Guardian does not wish to interfere unduly with the national tastes nor the actions of the National a.s.sembly; but he attaches the utmost importance to the Temple in Eschborn, as this is the first Temple in Europe, and the only one to be constructed in Europe during the Ten Year Crusade. Therefore he feels that this House of Wors.h.i.+p must represent throughout Europe the dignity and spirit of the Faith.
3. The Guardian therefore feels that we should not accept an ultra-modern building, which represents more or less the current spirit of the time, rather than the delicate architectural beauty which the spirit of the Faith should engender.
4. The Guardian would be happy if your a.s.sembly could produce a design of a building, graceful in outline, with a dome. If they can do this he will be very pleased. The main thing for the architect to consider is the ma.s.s of the building, the outline of the building and its architectural beauty.
Most of the sacred buildings, including the Temple at Wilmette, include elements of the previous schools of architecture in an ensemble that seems to present something new. He thinks the architects should study the graceful ma.s.s of the Wilmette Temple, of the design of Mr. Remey for the Temple on Mt. Carmel, and the Shrine of the Bab, as well as the outline of the domes of important buildings, particularly the dome of St. Peters in Rome. In this way they will get an idea of proportions which they feel are suitable. The details and the style is somewhat secondary and is left to the architect's taste.
5. The ten year period of the Crusade is running along very rapidly; and the Guardian therefore hopes that your a.s.sembly will present him with your final views in connection with the Temple design at a very early date; otherwise he is fearful this most important project will not be consummated within the Ten Year period.
The beloved Guardian was very sorry to learn of the illness of Dr.
Muhlschlegel. He wishes to a.s.sure you and likewise to a.s.sure Dr.
Muhlschlegel of his loving prayers for Dr. Muhlschlegel's complete recovery. He values Dr. Muhlschlegel's services very highly, and he hopes he will soon be able to again become most active in the Baha'i work....
The Guardian a.s.sures you of his prayers in your behalf. He sends each his loving Greetings.
LETTER OF NOVEMBER 1955