Chapter 77
LETTER OF 3 JULY 1948
3 July 1948
He does not think that we can yet go so far as to write commentaries and lengthy treatises on the relation of the Baha'i teachings to Education, Economics, etc, as the world knows these subjects at present. We have our basic principles, but... (unreadable) We cannot say in detail what the "Baha'i" system will be. It has yet to grow and mature. However, articles on these matters, where our general ideas are correlated to present knowledge and usage, and compared, would be good because not too much detail could be gone into.
LETTER OF 3 DECEMBER 1948
3 December 1948
It will make you all happy to hear that the columns for the Bab's Shrine, and the capitals and many stones-the first s.h.i.+pment-have now reached Haifa, and are being transported to the Shrine gardens. Soon the Guardian hopes the actual building work can be begun.
LETTER OF 13 DECEMBER 1948(30)
13 December 1948
He has, as a result of your letter, just cabled you via Geneva asking you to please get from Mrs... the letter Hussein wrote her and forward it to him, as he wishes to see it.
I cannot tell you how much and how bitterly our beloved Guardian has suffered from the disloyalty and dishonourable conduct of the members of the Master's Family, and now his own family. They have not only disobeyed him, and flouted his advice and instructions, but done things which are so shameful he is unable to mention them. In view of this, he was forced in 1944, to expel Hussein-but not until he had of his own accord left the Master's house gone to the Covenant-Breakers, and refused warnings and advice alike. His heart is unrepentant, and his character greatly changed, which is surely a great tragedy.
He was very pleased to hear you were able to visit the Baha'i convention in Hamburg, and that you found the believers there so enthusiastic and devoted. There is a tremendous amount of work to be done everywhere, and such active and tireless workers, as
He most deeply values your loyalty, your devotion and your services. You may be sure he will pray for you in the Holy Shrines and for your family and dear Mrs Benke....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-worker:
I deeply and increasingly appreciate the spirit that animates you, and wish to a.s.sure you of my abiding appreciation of your exemplary loyalty, your perseverance and splendid services to our glorious Faith. Persevere in your manifold and meritorious activities, and rest a.s.sured that the Beloved is well pleased with the standard of your accomplishments,
Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi
LETTER OF 8 FEBRUARY 1949
8 February 1949
He sees no objection to the Baha'is taking part in the movement for "World-Citizens.h.i.+p", as this is marking towards one of our most cherished goals-the unification of the human race under some form of International government. As long as this movement takes no political sides of any nature and keeps quite clear of all forms of politics, the Baha'is may support it.
He thinks it was a fine gesture for the National a.s.sembly to invite Mr.
Garry Davis to be present on Baha'i-World-Youth-Day and he hopes, this courageous and independent man will be able to accept the invitation.
LETTER OF 2 MARCH 1949
2 March 1949
You, as devoted and experienced believers, must do all in your power to urge the friends to unite in order to protect the Faith. The Hamburg difficulty is not insurmountable, as long as the friends all make up their minds that no sacrifice of personal feeling or opinion in this matter is too great to make in order to maintain the unity of the administrative order there and the unity of the believers. The more friends take sides, the more difficult it will be to solve this problem.
He urges you both to encourage your son and brother to look upon the perfection of the Faith and not upon the imperfections of the believers-for we are all imperfect.
LETTER OF 11 MARCH 1949
11 March 1949
The National Youth Committee
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Our beloved Guardian wishes me to thank you on his behalf for your greetings and the report of Baha'i World Youth Day.
He was very pleased indeed to learn you held such successful meetings on this occasion, and to see with what fervour and devotion you are a.s.suming your responsibilities as young Baha'is who, in the not distant future, will be called upon to carry forward so much of the important work of the Faith as adult members of the Community.
LETTER OF 20 MARCH 1949(31)
20 March 1949
Regarding your book: he feels that this can only come under the heading, judging by the outline you gave him, of a romance woven about a historical episode: the Bab and the events following His Martyr(dom); we do not know enough concrete facts about the relation of the Russian Court, the Russian consul, and what exact part he played in the events of those days to fill a large paragraph! He feels, therefore, that your book should be presented as such a romance, and not in any way as a historical narrative.
There were many factors at work in releasing Baha'u'llah from the Siyah _Ch_al, not the last of which was the intervention of His own sister who presented very valuable gifts to the _Sh_ah himself while she interceded for her Brother's life. So you see your information-not merely yours, any Baha'is at the present time-is far too scanty to permit of a really historical account being written. This does not mean you cannot get your book out as a romance. He certainly would not want you to destroy your ma.n.u.script!