Chapter 47
Mrs.... was raised in Russia; at least in the early part of her life. She fled with others during the Revolution. Thus her knowledge of Russian should be excellent.
She has recently become a Baha'i, in Lausanne.
In Lausanne, another woman has become a Baha'i, who is Russian, and is an excellent linguist. I understand in any translating now being done, she is being consulted.
It is my thought that your a.s.sembly should correspond with the Italo Swiss NSA, so as to set up some method of handling Russian translations and printing. As you know,..., in Geneva, is Russian, and likewise a good translator. If your two NSA's set up a General Translating Committee, I am sure great results would be achieved.
I am sending Mrs...., some views of the Shrines and Gardens, which I hope will give her happiness....
LETTER OF 19 MAY 1956
19 May 1956
Dear Friends:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you concerning the court case relating to the Temple Land near Eschborn.
You have asked if the decision of the Court should be adverse, if you should appeal the case to a higher court.
The Guardian feels that if the decision of the Court is adverse, then you should not appeal the case, but should at once look for another site for the Temple.
Time is rapidly pa.s.sing, and no further time should be lost in trying the case. You should find another piece of land, so work on the Temple may start. The Guardian is fearful, if there are further delays, either in the question of land, or the question of Model, the time will have so flown, that
He a.s.sures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends his loving Greetings to all the members of the a.s.sembly....
LETTER OF 5 JUNE 1956
5 June 1956
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter of April 19th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He is very happy that Vienna now has its own Haziratu'l-Quds, which will become the National Headquarters of the Austrian National Spiritual a.s.sembly when formed.
This important step forward is bound to reflect itself in the teaching work, and attract many new souls to the Faith.
The establishment of the other Centers in Austria during the past year has been most encouraging, and he hopes that by Spring of next year there will be a number of flouris.h.i.+ng Spiritual a.s.semblies.
He will pray for you all and for the success of the work in Vienna....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty, Whose Cause you serve so devotedly, reward you abundantly for your labours, remove all obstacles from your path, and enable you to win great victories in the days to come,
Your true brother, Shoghi
LETTER OF 8 JUNE 1956
8 June 1956
Dear Baha'i Co-workers:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you, in response to your recent letter to him, with regard to the modified Temple plans of Mr.
Rocholl.
As he understands the situation, your NSA is not pleased with the modified plans, and Mr. Rocholl says he will submit one or two others. The Guardian will await receipt of these further modifications, if it does not delay the matter too long.
So far as a modification of Mr. Grund, he feels it would delay the project too long to wait for new plans from him; unless of course, he has them ready for sending now.
In other words, the Guardian will await for a reasonable time, the receipt of further plans of Mr. Rocholl, before making final decision; and if by that time, any modifications have come from Mr. Grund, he will consider them; but he does not feel we can wait now, for an entire new development by Mr. Grund, unless he has it under way....
LETTER OF 8 JUNE 1956
8 June 1956
Dear Baha'i Co-workers:
The Beloved Guardian, as you know, is very anxious to have the matter of the land for the Temple near Frankfurt decided as quickly as possible, and he is hoping the decision of the court will be favorably announced in the near future.
Will you please cable me, just as soon as a decision is given, just what it is, so I may hand it to the Guardian at once....
LETTER OF 21 JUNE 1956