Previous Section Table of Contents
Next Section
13 January 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
ANNOUNCE BELIEVERS COMPLETION EXTERIOR EDIFICE FIRST BAHAI TEMPLE WESTERN WORLD ADVISE CABLE CONGRATULATIONS ITS VALIANT BUILDERS SHOGHI RABBANI
27 February 1943
Bertha Dobbins
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of Dec. 21st was received, and the Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was very sorry to hear of the illness of dear Miss Dawe, and he would like you to assure her that he will pray for her recovery in the Holy Shrines.
The friends must be patient with each other and, must realize that the Cause is still in its infancy and its institutions are not yet functioning perfectly. The greater the patience, the loving understanding and the forbearance the believers show towards each other and their short comings, the greater will be the progress of the whole Bahá'í Community at large.
The Guardian feels that, through attracting new souls, the Cause will outgrow its present limitations and function more efficiently.
In principle it is an excellent idea to start new communities as long as they fall within separate civic units - towns, townships, etc - but in America the friends have seen, on more than one occasion, that if they undertook such development prematurely the groups were each too small to attract attention and their forces were dissipated. These are all matters for the Assemblies and friends to take up with their N.S.A. and abide by their decision.
He was very pleased to secure the good news your letter conveyed of the Summer and Winter school work, and the new teaching work undertaken by the Boltons and others.
He assures you of his loving prayers for the progress of your own devoted labours for the Faith.
With Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
May the Almighty bless your efforts, guide every step you take, cheer your heart, sustain you, at all times & under all conditions, in the path of service to His Cause & its God-given institutions.
Your true brother, Shoghi
19 March 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letters, written on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly, and dated April 21st, 1942 and Nov. 18th, 1942, reached the Guardian, together with their enclosures, and he has instructed me to answer them on his behalf.
He regrets the delay in replying to them, but he has been, and still is, engaged on a work which requires a tremendous amount of his time, and his correspondence has, of necessity, suffered from it.
The Guardian would prefer sending all cables and moneys etc, to you direct, but the war regulations, as enforced in this country, prohibit the use of a postal address in cables or telegrams, and as he does not have your street address, he has had to do it this way. Please forward your own address, or the one you care to have used, and it will simplify matters in the future.
He is delighted to hear that the friends will be able to hold a Convention in April, and he hopes that through its deliberations and the meetings of the N.S.A. members, far reaching teaching plans will be set afoot and the Cause in New Zealand and Australia obtain a new impetus. You already have the nuclei of a number of Spiritual Assemblies in places where there are a group of believers, and he hopes that through following the methods, so successful in such countries as India and the United States, of having both travelling teachers and pioneers or settlers go out, you will have a number of new Spiritual Assemblies by 1944.
He was very pleased to see the increased interest among the friends in their various Bahá'í Summer and Winter Schools, and hopes that these will increasingly attract students of the Faith anxious to deepen their knowledge of its wonderful teachings.
The Australian and New Zealand friends, now feeling the full weight of the war, its dangers and sorrows, are very often in his prayers. He feels confident that they will emerge from these dark years stronger in spirit, more united and consecrated than ever before. They have a great and precious mission before them of rearing, albeit in miniature, the pattern of a New World Order, divine in origin, in the midst of their countrymen, who someday are sure to turn to that pattern as the solution of their problems and the harbinger of their happiness.
He assures you and all the members of the NSA of his continual, loving prayers, that you may be guided and aided in all your services to our beloved Faith.
With Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
P.S. The Guardian replied to Mr Heggie's letter, and he is very pleased to hear of the fine work he is doing. He is also pleased to hear that the work will now go on in connection with Father Dunn's memorial.
Dear and valued co-workers:
The constancy, the zeal, the unity and devotion which characterize the activities of the dearly-beloved community of Australia and New Zealand Bahá'ís evoke my heartfelt admiration, and demonstrate the power of Bahá'u'lláh and His unfailing guidance. I will pray for them all, will supplicate for them His richest blessings, and feel confident that if they persevere in their noble task their mission will be crowned with glorious success.
Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi
26 March 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
ADVISE MEMBERS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CONCENTRATE NEXT MEETING MEASURES ENSURE MULTIPLICATION BAHAI CENTRES PRAYING UNPRECEDENTED BLESSINGS CABLING TWO HUNDRED POUNDS REINFORCE ALL IMPORTANT URGENT TEACHING ACTIVITIES APPEAL SUPREME SYSTEMATIC PERSISTENT EFFORTS SHOGHI RABBANI
12 May 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Hilda Brooks, 17 Gurney Road, Dulwich, Adelaide.
KINDLY AIRMAIL IMMEDIATELY COMPLETE LIST NAMES ALL LOCALITIES AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND WHERE ONE OR MORE BELIEVERS RESIDE SPECIFYING THOSE POSSESSING SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
23 June 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
CABLING CARE COOKS THREE HUNDRED POUNDS FOR FURTHERANCE TEACHING ACTIVITIES PRAYING UNPRECEDENTED BLESSINGS SHOGHI RABBANI
4 July 1943 M Bolton
Mrs. Mariette Bolton, Somerset House, 9 Martin Place, Sydney. N.S.W. Australia.
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of May 28th has been received, together with the newspaper clippings you enclosed, and the Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was very pleased to receive the completed file of clippings, which he found very interesting, and he thanks you for sending them to him.
The broad and tolerant attitude of the Bahá'ís presents such a sharp contrast to the prejudice and intolerance (however sincere) of the members of the clergy who have denounced the teachings of the Faith, that it cannot but excite the interest and admiration of disinterested readers.
The Guardian hopes that the Australian friends will exert their utmost, during these last months of our first Bahá'í century, to bring the Faith to the knowledge of the public, attract and confirm new souls, and consolidate its institutions everywhere.
He deeply values your and your husband's tireless services, and will often remember you in his prayers.
With Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my special prayers for the steady expansion of your valued activities in the service of the Faith, and for the realization of every hope you cherish, and every plan you conceive, for its consolidation and progress,
Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi
14 July 1943 [Silver Jackman]
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter dated April 6th reached the Guardian, together with enclosed draft for £30 - the receipt for which I am enclosing herewith - and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He regrets very much that you should have felt, for even a moment, that there was some special reason for his forwarding sums through Mr. Bolton. The matter was entirely impersonal, and was due to strict rules governing the addressing of telegrams and cables during war time; no post office box addresses being accepted here any more. Therefore the Guardian, being sure that Mr. Bolton's address was a permanent one, and the money would not go astray, sent it in his care. He experienced similar difficulties in communicating with all centers which had only forwarded to him a P.O. Box address. He now has secured Miss Hilda Brooks' permanent address which will facilitate communications by cable with the N.S.A.
He hopes you will continue to serve the N.S.A. in whatever way they may require of you, and continue to do your utmost to promote the Faith in all fields, both locally and nationally.
The most urgent requirement of the Faith in Australia at present is in the teaching field, and he is very anxious for the friends to arise and extend their activities as much as possible in that vast country.
He deeply appreciates the efforts of the Adelaide friends to establish a permanent summer school, but as long as this will dissipate the efforts of the friends, who must now concentrate on one summer school in Australia, and will also detract from the all-important necessity of devoting all attention and resources to the teaching work, he does not approve of the establishment of such an institution at present.
Please assure the friends of his high hopes for the success of their contemplated work in all fields and rest assured his loving prayers are offered for you personally, and for the N.S.A. and the believers.
With warm Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
May the Almighty bless your efforts, guide every step you take, & enable you & your dear & valued collaborators to promote, during the concluding year of the first Bahá'í Century, the teaching activities of the Faith, with energy & determination, & crown your labours with unprecedented success.
Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi
P.S. He is happy to hear Mr Appleton has returned safely home and is
active in The Cause. He was received here with great pleasure as the Australian and New Zealand friends are always welcome.
14 July 1943
Bertha Dobbins
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of May 19th has been received, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.
The Guardian was surprised to hear that the friends of Adelaide have embarked on such an expensive project as the purchase of a house and property at such a time. He fully realizes, however, that it is nothing but their keen desire to further the interests of the Faith in everyway that has led them to this step. In this connection he would like to say that he does not consider it wise for the Australian friends to have more than one Summer School at present, as it will dissipate their forces and be an unnecessary burden on their resources. If the friends wish to maintain this property they have recently purchased, he would suggest that they convert it into their local administrative headquarters and meeting place. This matter is one for the Local Assembly to decide, preferably in consultation with the National Assembly.
The most urgent task facing the friends of Australia at present is the teaching work, and the Guardian is eagerly awaiting news of their activities in this field.
Please convey his loving greetings to all the friends. He is pleased to hear Mr. Appleton arrived safely home, and is so active in the work there.
Assuring you of his prayers for the success of your teaching efforts,
Yours, with Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
May the Almighty bless your efforts & enable you, & the dear friends in Adelaide, & indeed in Australasia & New Zealand, to lend a tremendous impetus to the progress & development of the all-important and most urgent teaching task that confronts them at the present time,
Your true brother, Shoghi
15 July 1943
Mrs. Mariette G. Bolton, 9 Martin Place, Sydney. N.S.W. Australia.
Dear Bahá'í Sister,
Your letter of May 3rd, together with newspaper clippings and photos, reached the Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He found the correspondence very interesting, regarding the Faith, in the "Mittagong Star"; such open discussion cannot but attract attention and stimulate a wide interest in the Cause and a better understanding of its true meaning.
He was also delighted to see the pictures of the Hyde Dunn Memorial Hall and Hilda Gilbert Cabin; Yerrinbool is becoming yearly a more important rallying point for the friends, and he has great hopes for its future.
Your and Mr. Bolton's devoted and tireless services to the Faith are very deeply appreciated by the Guardian, and he hopes you will both be able to further the general teaching work in Australia, the importance of which the Guardian is greatly emphasizing at the present time.
His loving prayers will be offered on your behalf and on behalf of your dear family, that God may strengthen, guide and protect you all.
With Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani.
May the Almighty bless continually and abundantly your highly meritorious labours, and aid you and your dear husband as well as all your collaborators to promote effectively the all-important teaching work, in the course of this crucial year, and thus crown with memorable victories your achievements and services, for the promotion of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh.
Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi.
16 July 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Hilda Brooks, 17 Gurney Road, Dulwich, Adelaide.
KINDLY CABLE EXACT DATE MONTH AND YEAR DUNNS ARRIVAL AUSTRALIA TO ESTABLISH FAITH
18 July 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Hilda Brooks, 17 Gurney Road, Dulwich, Adelaide.
ASSURE MEMBERS ARDENT PRAYERS REMOVAL DIFFICULTIES EXPANSION TEACHING ACTIVITIES LOVE
22 July 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Hilda Brooks, 17 Gurney Road, Dulwich, Adelaide.
OWING IMPORTANCE ASCERTAIN EXACT DATE THROUGH FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND KINDLY CABLE
29 July 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
REMARKABLE PROGRESS ACHIEVED FAITH BAHAULLAH LAST TWO DECADES AUSTRALASIA AS EVIDENCED BY ESTABLISHMENT LOCAL ASSEMBLIES FORMATION NATIONAL ASSEMBLY INSTITUTION SUMMER SCHOOL INCORPORATION BAHAI ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES EXPANSION TEACHING ACTIVITIES INITIATION PERIODICALS PROMPTS ME ADVISE NATIONAL ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AUSTRALIAN NEW ZEALAND BELIEVERS INAUGURATE NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS BY UNDERTAKING PROMPT MEASURES PURCHASE SUITABLE BUILDING SYDNEY MOTHER CITY CONTINENT TO SERVE AS BAHAI NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS AND SEAT OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CABLING THOUSAND POUNDS CONTRIBUTION ENTERPRISE DESIGNED CROWN LABOURS AFFORD TANGIBLE EVIDENCE CONSOLIDATING STRENGTH COMMUNITY VALIANT FOLLOWERS BAHAULLAH IN ANTIPODES SHOGHI RABBANI
5 September 1943
Dr. Mariette Bolton, 9 Martin Place, Sydney. N.S.W. Australia.
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter, with clipping enclosed, dated June 18th, has been received, and the Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.
He was very pleased to hear of the success of the Winter School held at Yerrinbool, and that two new believers have embraced the Faith. Please convey to these friends a loving welcome into the Faith on the part of the Guardian.
The need for a national administrative headquarters for the Cause in Australia has been stressed by the Guardian in a recent cable to the N.S.A., and he hopes the Sydney friends will do all in their power to speed the consummation of this plan, so that it may be ready and in use before the Centenary of our Faith next May.
He sends his loving greetings to you and your family and the assurance of his prayers on your behalf for the success of your ceaseless labours for the Faith.
With Bahá'í love,
R. Rabbani.
May the Beloved pour out His manifold blessings upon your work to which I attach the utmost importance, and for which I cherish the fondest hopes.
Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi.
5 September 1943 [Ethel Dawe]
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of June 26th has been received and the Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He is very pleased to hear you are now in sufficiently good health to go on with your work, and he hopes that, with your wide background and abilities, you will be able to substantially assist the teaching work in Australia.
As the Centenary rapidly approaches the need grows more urgent for the Australian friends to enlarge their ranks and also bring the Cause to the attention of the public in general.
He will pray that God may strengthen you to render valuable assistance in this all-important field of Bahá'í activity.
With warm Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani
Wishing you all happiness & success from the depths of my heart, & assuring you of my special prayers for your spiritual advancement & the extension of your activities in the service of our beloved Faith,
Your true & grateful brother, Shoghi.
16 September 1943 [Alvin Blum]
Dear Bahá'í brother:
Your letter - with the two interesting enclosures - dates June 21st reached the Guardian a few days ago, and he has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.
He has heard indirectly from Miss Kitty Carpenter of how happy the friends have been to have you in their midst, and how much you have helped their local activities. He was very happy to know you are able to be active in serving the Faith, even while doing army work in distant lands.
As you no doubt have heard, Dear Mrs Ives has passed away. Her truly wonderful and exemplary services will never be forgotten, and she and her husband deserve to be emulated by the younger generation of Bahá'ís.
The Guardian hopes that in the future you and Miss Gewertz - such a devoted worker for the Faith - will have an equally happy and dedicated union.
He will pray that wherever you are God will open the way for you to serve the Faith.
With warm Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my special prayers for you and for the realisation of every hope you cherish in the service of our beloved Faith,
Your true brother, Shoghi
3 October 1943 [Silver Jackman]
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letters dated July 2nd and Aug. 2nd, together with the financial report and the two receipts made out in the name of the Guardian, have been received, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was very pleased to hear that a successful N.S.A. meeting was held, and that plans are going ahead speedily for the teaching work, and the opening of new cities to the Faith.
He hopes that the N.S.A. will be able to establish their Bahá'í Administrative Headquarters in Sydney with the greatest expedition, as this is an undertaking of primary importance, and will greatly redound to the prestige of the Faith. Other countries, namely Iráq, Egypt, India and Persia either have established such institutions, or are rapidly completing their erection in time for the Centenary of our beloved Faith next May, and the Guardian is most anxious that the Australian and New Zealand Bahá'ís should have a similar headquarters before that date.
He hopes that you received a letter from him, in answer to one from you, and mailed some time ago, in which he explained that, as your street address had not been available, nor that of Miss Brooks, he had been forced to forward money to the N.S.A. through Mr. Bolton, as the Cable office will not accept P.O. Box addresses.
The Guardian assures you of his loving prayers and his appreciation of your devoted labours for our beloved Faith.
With warm Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani
May the Beloved sustain, guide, & bless you, & enable you, in conjunction with your devoted co-workers, to establish the national Bahá'í headquarters in Sydney, & thus reinforce the foundations, & expand the range, of the Administrative Order, which has been erected with such remarkable rapidity & soundness in that far-off land.
Your true & grateful brother, Shoghi
8 October 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Hilda Brooks, 17 Gurney Road, Dulwich, Adelaide.
APPROVE DECISION NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY REGARDING BAHAI PROPERTY STOP APPRECIATE DEVOTION ENTHUSIASM ADELAIDE FRIENDS STOP URGE CONCENTRATION EFFORTS UNITY BELIEVERS PROMOTION TEACHING ACTIVITIES ESTABLISHMENT NATIONAL BAHAI ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS SYDNEY ASSURE ALL LOVING PRAYERS
14 October 1943 [Clara Dunn]
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of Aug. 23rd reached the Guardian, and he greatly rejoiced to hear of your determination to arise and serve the Faith in Queensland during this last year of the 1st Bahá'í century. This decision must also greatly rejoice the heart of dear Father Dunn, who will no doubt be with you in spirit and aiding you from the invisible world.
He was also very happy to hear that the stone has been placed on the grave of Father Dunn, and is so beautiful, and he is hoping to receive a photograph of it in the near future.
The friends in Australia small as are their numbers, should arise now to truly sacrifice for their Faith, and produce some victories by our glorious centenary in May 1944. Their spirit has been faithful, they have been devoted and enterprising, and have achieved many things in Australia, and he hopes they will accomplish still greater things during the next few months. He is very anxious to receive news of the purchase of the administrative Headquarters in Sydney and of the establishment of new groups and Assemblies.
If it is possible and the journey is safe, he sees no reason why you should not go to America for the 1944 Convention.
The Guardian, as you can well imagine, is greatly over-burdened with work at present, and very tired. But his heart is with the friends, and he eagerly awaits their good news.
He sends you his love and assures you his prayers will accompany you in all you do for our beloved Faith.
With warmest Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
May the Beloved of our hearts graciously assist, protect, sustain & help you always & enable you, in the all-important teaching field, to win fresh laurels for the crown you have won in His service,
Your true & grateful brother, Shoghi
15 October 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
CABLING FURTHER TWO THOUSAND POUNDS MY LOVING CONTRIBUTION PROMPT ESTABLISHMENT NATIONAL BAHAI HEADQUARTERS WITHIN CITY SYDNEY BAHAI COMMUNITIES EAST WEST WILL ALSO JOYOUSLY ASSOCIATE THEMSELVES EPOCH MAKING ENTERPRISE INITIATED FAR AWAY DEARLY BELOVED SISTER COMMUNITY AUSTRALASIA PRAYING RESOUNDING SUCCESS SHOGHI RABBANI
3 December 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Silver Jackman, 339 Wakefield Street, Adelaide.
EAGERLY AWAITING NEWS PURCHASE HEADQUARTERS SYDNEY STOP CABLED HUNDRED POUNDS CARE COOKS FOR HEADQUARTERS KINDLY MAIL RECEIPT NAME SOHRAB BAHMARDI.
7 December 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Hilda Brooks, 17 Gurney Road, Dulwich, Adelaide.
PRAYING SPEEDY PURCHASE PROPERTY LOVING APPRECIATION
11 December 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Silver Jackman, 339 Wakefield Street, Adelaide.
URGE PERSEVERANCE PRAYING REMOVAL OBSTACLES
18 December 1943 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Hilda Brooks, Hotel Metropole, Sydney.
ADVISE PURCHASE IMMEDIATELY PROPERTY THREE MILES DISTANT CITY STOP REGISTER PROPERTY NAME NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MAIL THREE PHOTOGRAPHS LOVING APPRECIATION
Previous Section Table of Contents
Next Section
|
|
