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5 January 1951 [New Zealand Summer School]
DEEPLY APPRECIATE MESSAGE ASSURE SCHOOL ATTENDANTS FERVENT PRAYERS SUCCESS HIGH ENDEAVOURS SHOGHI
21 January 1951
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís
of Australia and New Zealand;
The beloved Guardian has instructed me to acknowledge on his behalf the Nov. issue of your Bahá'í News. He is well pleased with it and commends you.
He would like to call your attention to the statement on page 3, paragraph 3, under "Anniversaries and Festivals", and clarify it.
The Day of the Covenant Nov. 26th, and the Day of the Ascension, Nov. 28th, anniversaries of the birth and the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá must be observed by the friends coming together, but work is not prohibited. In other words the friends must regard observance of these two anniversaries as obligatory - but suspension of work not to be regarded as obligatory.
He assures you of his deep interest in all your efforts and offers prayers on your behalf at the Holy Shrines.
With warmest love, Sincerely yours, Amelia Collins.
24 January 1951 [National Spiritual Assembly]
NATBAHAI SYDNEY
SHARE JOY FRIENDS SHOGHI
10 February 1951
Miss Margaret L. Degotardi, LL.B.
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter dated 7 Sovereignty 107 has been received by our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf. He feels that it would be quite impossible for a Bahá'í, even if they were an independent candidate for Parliament, to sit in that body without becoming involved in burning political issues one way or another. As we look out on the world horizon today, we see that the political scene is becoming more involved and chaotic and the chief actors are impotent to solve the world's problems. This is not the arena for the Bahá'ís. We must cast off from this sinking ship and devote ourselves exclusively to building up the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh which we know is the salvation for the entire planet.
There is nothing in the Teachings about chiropractic as a method of healing. People are free to turn to it if they please and find help through it.
He hopes that your devoted services to the Cause will be blessed with success, and assures you of his loving prayers.
With warm greetings, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my loving prayers for you success & spiritual advancement,
Your true brother, Shoghi
1 March 1951 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
Your letters addressed to our beloved Guardian, and dated June 22, August 4 and 22, November 10 and December 5 and 11, of 1950 and January 30 and Feb. 20, 22, 26, of 1951, together with their enclosures, have been received; and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
In regard to the various matters raised in your letters:
It is indeed a great tragedy that Mr. Perdu should have such an utterly despicable character, and the ability to be a teacher. He has undoubtedly dealt with the greatest injustice with the friends in Fiji who wrote to Mr. Blum; and the Guardian was extremely sorry to hear that this man, attracted to the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, and evidently a sincere and decent person, should have been duped by the very man who gave him this glorious Message. It was very wise to send Mr. Blum out there; and he hopes that your Assembly will keep in close contact with the friends who were attracted, it would seem almost miraculously under the circumstances, to the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh in those distant islands.
It might interest your Assembly to know that since leaving Fiji, Mr Perdu went to the United States, and himself admitted in a letter to the Guardian that he had seen Ahmad Sohrab.
The Guardian assures your Assembly, and, through you, all the believers throughout Australasia, that he has been deeply touched by the spirit of loyalty which you have all shown at this difficult time for him, and also the devotion to every work which is undertaken here at the International Centre of the Faith.
The support you have given to the construction of the Shrine of the Báb has been deeply appreciated; and he hopes that in the not distant future it will be possible for the doors of pilgrimage to be opened once more; and then the believers can see with their own eyes what their sacrificial contributions have helped to erect, on Mount Carmel. It will interest the friends to hear that we are at present busy with the preliminary work required prior to the erection of the second story of the Holy Tomb, in other words, the octagonal portion, which will be built on atop of the roof of the original Shrine building erected by 'Abdu'l-Bahá Himself. The stones have been ordered from Italy for this next stage in our undertaking, and soon will be coming to Haifa another 300 tons of granite, some of it with beautiful carved ornamentation.
The Guardian would like you to please convey to the Adelaide Spiritual Assembly his deep appreciation of the contribution they made through your Body to the Shrine Fund here in Haifa, a contribution which represents the sum of their Property Fund. They showed in this matter an exemplary spirit, and placed the major issue in its true perspective, forgetting their local hopes and aspirations in order that the work on the glorious Shrine of the Báb might be carried forward more speedily.
In regard to your question concerning the Centenary of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh's mission: The Guardian, at a later date, will give instructions concerning this commemoration to the entire Bahá'í World.
He has been particularly pleased to note, during the past year, the increase in pioneer activity going on under your jurisdiction. As you know, he attaches the greatest importance to this type of Bahá'í service; and he hopes that more of the believers will arise and go forth into the field, establishing new centers and groups, and broadcasting the Message of Bahá'u'lláh over the face of that vast continent.
This is at once their greatest duty and privilege, and one which will attract the blessings of Bahá'u'lláh, and enrich, not only each individual who arises to serve, but the entire Community of which he forms a part.
Whenever the friends feel that they are small in number, and the effort required, truly colossal, they should remember what the British Bahá'ís accomplished during the Six Year Plan; and how, after the long and exhaustive years of the war and all its restrictions, they succeeded, at the point of utter exhaustion, one might say, in achieving every single goal gloriously. The Australian and New Zealand friends, who have not been subjected to such rigours during the last decade, who are a young and fresh nation, so to speak, can surely accomplish as much, and one would imagine more, than their British brethren, who laboured under such great handicaps.
He assures you all that he will remember you in his prayers at the Holy Threshold, and supplicate that your Assembly, and the Community of believers whom you represent, may achieve great things during the coming Bahá'í year and arise to new heights of self-sacrifice and service.
With warm Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani.
P.S. I would like to add that the Guardian does not consider that it is advisable for New Zealand to be separated in the near future from Australia, and come under the jurisdiction of an independent National Assembly. He considers that the present arrangement is the best one until such time as there are more Assemblies flourishing in New Zealand, and he would consider the basis for a National Assembly strong enough there to support such an institution.
Regarding the question of Mr Perdu, the Guardian was considerably surprised at his temerity in getting in touch with the Bahá'ís. He belongs to an old family of Covenant-breakers from the days of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, was later pardoned by the Guardian, and a number of years ago, flagrantly disobeyed the Guardian, and was put out of our local Community here. We all know that he has been in constant association with the Covenant-breakers ever since, and he even admits it in his own letter! Needless to say, the Bahá'ís should consider him a Covenant-breaker, and shun him entirely. The harm that he could do a Community if treated otherwise, would be very great indeed.
Dear and valued co-workers:
The manifold and ever multiplying activities in which the Australian, New Zealand and Tasmanian Bahá'í communities are so devotedly and unitedly engaged are the object of my constant solicitude, and evoke, as they steadily expand, feelings of gratitude and admiration in my heart. Though unavoidably prevented from communicating more frequently with their elected national representatives, who are directing with exemplary loyalty, unrelaxing vigilance, inflexible resolve, unsparing devotion and commendable foresight, the course of these highly meritorious and promising activities, I follow, through the perusal of the various reports and news letters I receive from them, every development in the unfoldment of their work, and surround them as they labour so assiduously for their Cause, with my fervent prayers, offered on their behalf in the Holy Shrines.
The assistance they have so spontaneously and enthusiastically extended to the newly established centre in the Fiji Islands, constituting the opening phase of the crusade destined to be systematically launched by them in the Pacific Islands - a territory with which their spiritual destiny is irrevocably linked - has been particularly gratifying and merits unstinted praise. To have undertaken this additional task, with such determination and fervour, while immersed in the labours associated with the prosecution of their Plan, is surely an evidence of their youthful vitality, their unbounded devotion to the interests of the Faith, and their eager desire to emulate the example of the sister-communities which have initiated, over and above their prescribed tasks, enterprises beyond the confines of their respective homelands.
While this historic undertaking is being carried forward by their elected national representatives, these communities must concentrate their attention on the pressing and inescapable requirements of the Plan to which they stand committed. The process of extending the range of their administrative activities through the formation of groups and the multiplication of Assemblies must continue unabated until this particular objective of the Plan is fully achieved. The proper incorporation of the national and Local Assemblies, so vital and urgent at the present stage of their evolution, must be hastened by every means in their power. The measures required to ensure the recognition of the Faith, of its laws regarding matters of personal status, as well as its Holy Days, by the civil authorities, in both Australia and New Zealand, must be carefully considered, and promptly adopted. The institutions of summer and winter schools, so vital and beneficial at the present stage in the development of the Faith must be continually expanded enriched and consolidated. The national and local Funds, on which the prosperity and unfoldment of a rising Administrative system must ultimately depend, should be assured of an ever-increasing measure of support, whilst the contributions of the believers for the raising of the superstructure of the Báb's Holy Sepulchre, constituting a sacred and added responsibility at this present critical hour, should be constantly borne in mind and steadily maintained. The deepening and enrichment of the spiritual life of the individual believer, his increasing comprehension of the essential verities underlying this Faith, his training in its administrative processes, his understanding of the fundamentals of the Covenants established by its Author and the authorised Interpreter of its teachings should be made the supreme objectives of the national representatives responsible for the edification, the progress and consolidation of these communities.
This two fold task, both at home and abroad, confronting the members of these communities, labouring so valiantly, and holding aloft so courageously the banner of the Most Great Name in the Antipodes, at so crucial a stage in the evolution of the human race on this planet, can neither be shirked nor be treated lightly for one moment. The hour is too critical, time is too short, the requirements of an infant Faith are too pressing, the resources at the disposal of the few into whose hands its care has been entrusted are too circumscribed to suffer any time to be lost in procrastination or through complacency or neglect. The prizes destined for the heroic warriors, battling for the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh throughout the Southern Hemisphere, and particularly Australasia, are glorious beyond compare. The assistance to be vouchsafed to them from on high in their struggle for its establishment to recognition and triumph is ready to be poured forth in astonishing abundance. Action immediate and wholehearted, coupled with unswerving fidelity and dogged perseverance, will no doubt enable those who participate in this double crusade, to attract the full measure of these blessings and to attain these glorious goals.
Your true brother, Shoghi.
8 March 1951 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Beloved Friends,
In answer to your letter of Feb. 22nd, the beloved Guardian has instructed me to assure you that the statement made in my letter to you Jan. 21st was quite correct.
You quote from page 537 "Bahá'í World" words written by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, - further down on the same page you will find the following "As a corollary of this Tablet (above) it follows the anniversaries of the birth and the ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá are not to be regarded as days on which work is prohibited. The celebration of these two days is however obligatory". - These are the words of the Guardian. We really have eleven Holy Days but as stated, work is only prohibited on the first nine mentioned in the Tablet.
He follows your work with deep interest and assures you of his loving prayers.
With warmest love, Faithfully Yours, Amelia Collins.
5 April 1951
Dear ....,
Your letter of March 20th has been received; and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was very sorry to hear that you are contemplating separation from your husband. As you no doubt know, Bahá'u'lláh considers the marriage bond very sacred; and only under very exceptional and unbearable circumstances is divorce advisable for Bahá'ís.
The Guardian does not tell you that you must not divorce your husband; but he does urge you to consider prayerfully, not only because you are a believer and anxious to obey the laws of God, but also for the sake of the happiness of your children, whether it is not possible for you to rise above the limitations you have felt in your marriage hitherto, and make a go of it together.
We often feel that our happiness lies in a certain direction; and yet, if we have to pay too heavy a price for it in the end we may discover that we have not really purchased either freedom or happiness, but just some new situation of frustration and disillusion.
In any case, the Guardian assures you that he will pray for your protection and guidance in the Holy Shrines, and for that of your dear children and Mr..., as well.
He urges you to persevere in the service of the Faith which has already blessed you so richly, and which, under your circumstances is your stronghold.
With warmest greetings, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my loving prayers for your success and spiritual advancement,
Your true brother, Shoghi
29 April 1951 [National Convention Australia and New Zealand]
APPRECIATE SENTIMENTS WELCOME DETERMINATION ASSEMBLED DELEGATES FRIENDS STOP PRAYING FERVENTLY ENTIRE COMMUNITY REDEDICATE ITSELF SACRED HISTORIC TASKS BEFITTINGLY DISCHARGE INESCAPABLE RESPONSIBILITIES ATTAIN OBJECTIVES MOMENTOUS PLAN PROSECUTE VIGOROUSLY TEACHING WORK INITIATED BEYOND BORDERS HOMELAND CONTRIBUTE SHARE EXPANSION CONSOLIDATION UNDERTAKINGS LAUNCHED WORLD CENTRE FAITH STOP MAY ASSEMBLED REPRESENTATIVES COMMUNITIES FOLLOWERS MOST GREAT NAME ANTIPODES LEND MEMORABLE ASSISTANCE BELIEVERS RESPECTIVE CENTRES ARISE UNITEDLY DETERMINEDLY CARRY TRIUMPHANT CONCLUSION FARREACHING ENTERPRISES LAUNCHED OPENING DECADE SECOND BAHAI CENTURY
SHOGHI
27 July 1951 [Leila Clark - Australia]
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of June 18 has reached our beloved Guardian and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf, and to forward to you the enclosed receipt, for your loving contribution towards building the Shrine of the Báb.
He was happy you met so many friends in the course of your trip. It stimulates them to contact one of their co-workers from so far away, and he feels sure you are now carrying back to the Australian believers a greater vision, thanks to your experiences. Travelling amongst the Bahá'ís is not only a pleasure, but a great help to the work, and he hopes you will make other trips.
With warm Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my deep appreciation of your loving contribution & of my fervent prayers for your success & spiritual advancement,
Your true brother, Shoghi
30 July 1951 [Adelaide Assembly]
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
Your letter of March 26 has just reached our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He appreciated your message very much, and is happy to see that your Community, one of the oldest in Australia, responds with such joy to everything that affects the vital interests of the Cause of God.
He hopes your teaching activities are going ahead well, and a number of new Assemblies developing in that area thanks to the energy of the Adelaide Bahá'ís.
With warmest greetings, R. Rabbani
May the Almighty guide every step you take in the path of service, bless every effort you exert, & fulfil every desire you cherish, for the promotion of His Faith & its institutions,
Your true brother, Shoghi
30 July 1951
Dear ...,
This is just a short note to acknowledge receiving your letter of June 29 and to thank you for the photos.
The beloved Guardian is pleased to see you are happier, and feels sure that in the degree to which we surrender our will to God's Will are we blessed and guided in this World.
He urges you to go on teaching the Faith, and will pray for your success.
With Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my prayers for the success of every effort you exert for the promotion of our beloved Faith,
Your true brother, Shoghi
21 August 1951 [Viva Rodwell - Australia]
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of June 14 has been received, as well as your loving contribution for the work on the Holy Shrine, and the Guardian thanks you very much for it and encloses his receipt herewith.
He was delighted to hear of the progress in the teaching work in Brisbane, and congratulates you all on this excellent work. He would like you to please give Jim Heggie his loving greetings and tell him he was so glad to learn of his activities.
You may be sure Shoghi Effendi will pray for you, your dear family, and the progress of the work there.
With Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my deep appreciation of your contribution, & of my loving prayers for your success & spiritual advancement,
Your true brother, Shoghi
27 August 1951 [Effie Baker - Australia]
Dear Effie,
The beloved Guardian was very pleased to receive your letter of July 23, and also the loving contribution you sent to the work being done on the Holy Tomb. I am enclosing his receipt for the same herewith.
Yes indeed, you would not recognize the place now; the Gardens are truly beautiful, and also many lovely and befitting ornaments have been added to the interior of the three Shrines which, while preserving their peace and simplicity, have greatly added to their beauty.
Often Shoghi Effendi remarks that if you were in Haifa you would take some wonderful photos. He considers no one has ever captured the beauty of the place as you did, and your photographs adorn his own rooms, and the archives and the Mansion, just as they did when you were with us!
He hopes you are well and happy, and he is delighted to see you are so active in serving the Cause there.
With warm Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my deep appreciation of your loving contribution & of your unforgettable services at the World Centre of our beloved Faith, & of my prayers for the success of every effort you exert for its promotion.
Your true brother, Shoghi
27 August 1951 [Gladys Pollard - Australia]
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of July 27 has been received by the beloved Guardian, as well as your loving contribution to the Holy Shrine, and he is forwarding you herein his receipt.
He deeply appreciates the spirit of your services to the Cause of God, and wishes you every success in teaching the Faith.
With Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my deep appreciation of your contribution, & of my loving prayers on your behalf,
Your true brother, Shoghi
The following letter was received from Mrs Featherstone after publication
Aug. 27, 1951
Dear Bah‚ ' Sister:
[Clara Dunn]
The beloved Guardian has received your letter of July 13 and he thanks you for your loving contribution to the Holy Tomb. I am enclosing his receipt for the same.
He is so happy to see your health permits you to be ever active in the work so dear to our hearts, and he was particularly pleased to see you have visited Tasmania. The Faith in Australia, established by you and your dear husband, has certainly flourished under your very eyes!
He will pray for Dear Mrs Turner and her children, and for the success of the work you will be doing in conjunction with her.
With warmest love,
R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my deep appreciation of your loving contribution, & of my deep & abiding appreciation of the long & splendid record of your achievements in the service of our beloved Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
I gratefully acknowledge the receipt of the sum of five pounds from my dear Bah‚ ' sister, Mrs Hyde Dunn, to be expended for the construction of the Shrine of the Báb on Mr. Carmel.
Shoghi
August 27, 1951
5 September 1951 [Lily Jean Hutchinson-Smith, Australia]
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
Your letter of July 23 has been received, and the beloved Guardian thanks you very much for the loving contribution you sent for the Shrine. I am enclosing his receipt.
He was most happy to see you are able to assist the German friends there, and hopes you will travel about, to the various centres, as much as possible. They need the loving help and stimulation of friends from other lands after all their bitter years of separation from the rest of the Bahá'í World.
He wishes you every success, and appreciates your devotion very much.
With Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
May the Beloved abundantly reward you for your manifold & notable services, sustain you in your meritorious activities, & enable you to win great victories in the service of His Faith,
Your true & grateful brother, Shoghi
7 September 1951 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of July 19 has been received, as well as the contribution of the believers to the Shrine, and the beloved Guardian sends you herewith his receipt.
He wishes to thank all the friends, communities, and Assemblies who have contributed so lovingly to this Holy undertaking. Surely such gifts, representing both sincere love and often real sacrifice, will add to the preciousness of a Shrine already so dear to all Bahá'í hearts.
He wishes you every success in your own devoted services to the Cause.
With Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani.
Assuring you of my loving prayers for your success in the service of our beloved Faith,
Your true brother, Shoghi.
29 September 1951 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of August 12 has been received, and I am enclosing a receipt from the beloved Guardian for the sum you forwarded.
He was deeply touched by this further evidence of the interest shown by the believers in Australia and New Zealand in the Holy task now going ahead at the World Centre. Please thank all the contributors on his behalf.
He sends you and all the members of the N.S.A. his loving greetings,
With Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani.
May the Almighty bless and reward all those who have so devotedly and spontaneously contributed for the promotion of so holy an enterprise, and aid them to win great and memorable victories in the service of His glorious Faith.
Your true brother, Shoghi.
29 September 1951 [St. Peters Bahá'í group]
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
Your letter of Aug. 30 has been received, as well as your kind contribution to the Shrine, and I am enclosing a receipt for it.
The beloved Guardian appreciated very much receiving this evidence of your interest in the important work going ahead at the World Centre of the Faith.
He will pray that, through your devoted efforts, an Assembly may soon be established there. With loving greetings, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my deep appreciation of your contribution, & of my loving prayers for the success of your high endeavours,
Your true brother, Shoghi
30 October 1951 [Miss Alicia Hutchinson-Smith - Germany]
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of Sept.22 has reached the Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He does not feel it would be advisable for you to try for a post in the Holy Land. For two reasons; first, as he has not yet opened the door of pilgrimage it would be unfair to many who have been refused permission to come; and, second, because you could do so much more good elsewhere! Is there any chance of your getting a job in Africa? This would be ideal, for the work of the Cause there is progressing well and needs additional believers very much.
He hopes this answer does not disappoint you; no doubt you and your dear mother will have an opportunity in the future of visiting Haifa, and you will be most welcome, when the right time comes.
With Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
May the Beloved guide, bless & sustain you, aid you to promote the best interests of His Faith, & win great victories in the days to come,
Your true brother, Shoghi
15 November 1951 [St Peters Bahá'í Group]
Dear Bahá'í Brother:
Your letter of Oct. 4 has reached the beloved Guardian, and he thanks the St. Peters Bahá'ís for their loving contribution to the Shrine work, a receipt for which I am enclosing herewith.
He hopes, and will pray, that your group may soon achieve Assembly status, and thus add another pearl to the rapidly growing chain of Assemblies throughout Australia.
He is very proud of the activities of the believers out there, and of the way they are increasing in administrative ability and in the number of pioneer members who disperse to teach the Faith in new centres.
He urges you and your co-workers to redouble your efforts and never to feel discouraged.
With warmest greetings, R. Rabbani
Assuring you & your fellow-members of my deep appreciation of your contribution, & of my loving prayers on your behalf,
Your true brother, Shoghi
15 November 1951 [Miss Marie Dunning - Australia]
Dear Bahá'í Sister,
Your letter of Oct 14 has been received, and the beloved Guardian thanks you very much for your loving contribution to the Shrine of the Báb, a receipt for which I am enclosing.
He trusts the Faith in your neighbourhood will steadily spread; he will pray for the success of your devoted labours.
With Bahá'í love, R.Rabbani
Assuring you of my deep appreciation of your contribution, and of my loving prayers on your behalf,
Your true brother, Shoghi
20 November 1951 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
Your letters to the beloved Guardian, dated April 3rd (two) 4th & 26th; May 4th & 25th; July 13th; and Oct. 16, with various enclosures, have been received, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
Regarding various matters raised in your letters:
The Guardian feels that as Mr. Audenwood clearly signified his belief in Bahá'u'lláh before his passing, his name should by all means be registered in your records as a believer. Please assure his wife of the Guardian's prayers for the progress and happiness of his soul, and for her own services to the Faith to be richly blessed.
Shoghi Effendi feels it is better not to put the Greatest Name on Bahá'í graves. It is not forbidden to do so, but inappropriate.
Regarding Mr ... and Mr... we all regret exceedingly the loss he afflicted this believer with. Your Assembly, if you have not already done so, should write both the Persian and Indian Assemblies exposing him, and asking if there is no way he can be reached and made to pay his debt. The last news the Guardian had of him he was in Cyprus and planned to go on to Iran or India. It is most extraordinary to see the way this man, who breaks all the laws of his Faith and disobeys both the Guardian and the Assemblies, has been able to plant a firm faith in the hearts of sincere souls in Fiji, who are now devoted believers! Your Assembly should give this small community every aid and encouragement you can, for its members were born with a terrific test, enough to shake the belief of old and tried Bahá'ís.
The Guardian was very pleased to see the Racing Conference courteously changed the name of that horse which had been called Bahá'u'lláh.
He is also very glad you are in touch with dear, faithful Mr. Auskauli. You should keep up this contact and when you write please assure him of the Guardian's appreciation of his steadfastness and of his loving prayers. He advises you to keep for your library the books sent you.
The Guardian has noted a new spirit of love and unity amongst the Australian and New Zealand Bahá'ís, which pleases him very much, as the atmosphere of harmony amongst the friends will attract the Divine Blessings and enable them to achieve a great deal more for the Faith.
He strongly feels that the time has come for the believers of Australia and New Zealand to arise as a conquering army and ensure the attainment of their goals under their Six Year Plan. They now constitute one of the strongest bodies of believers in the world, ranking with such active and well established communities as those of Canada, Great Britain and India. Their period of adolescence in the Faith has passed; they are now adults, and they must face the problems involved in fulfilling their Plan squarely and with maturity. The pleasant period of youthful irresponsibility, when they could look on the work of the American and Persian Communities as the feats of the strong, which they were not called upon to emulate, being too young, is now passed forever. They must sacrifice, concentrate on their tasks, plan their actions and carry on their pioneer work with determination, realizing they will have no one to blame for any failures, except themselves! The Guardian feels they are entirely capable of fulfilling their Plan. He is proud of the progress they have made and confident they can succeed if they really try.
He assures you all of his loving prayers for your guidance and for the success of your work, the progress of which he follows with the keenest interest.
With Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani.
P.S. I am enclosing a receipt herein. I do not think this sum has been previously acknowledged, but if there is any duplication, please destroy it.
Dear and valued co-workers:
The Six-Year Plan, formulated by the elected representatives of the valiant Bahá'í communities in Australasia, is now entering its final and most critical stage. If successfully terminated it will mark the conclusion of a memorable chapter in the evolution of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh in the Antipodes, and will at the same time herald the opening of the initial phase in the establishment of the institutions of that Faith, beyond the borders of that far-off continent, in the numerous diversified and widely scattered Islands of the South Pacific Ocean. It will in fact signalize the third stage in the evolution of the Faith in that newly opened, highly promising, far-flung continent - an evolution which commenced, during the concluding decade of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's ministry and of the Heroic Age of the Faith, with the birth and rise of the Bahá'í Administrative Order, and which was subsequently accelerated through the formulation during the opening years of the Formative Age of the Bahá'í Dispensation, of two successive Plans, designed to broaden and reinforce the foundations of that nascent Order in Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania. The inauguration of the third and most glorious phase in this historic and momentous development must now depend on the consummation of the tasks willingly shouldered by this youthful, this virile and greatly beloved community, which, despite its physical remoteness from the heart and world centre of the Faith, the smallness of its size, its limited resources and the vastness of the field under the jurisdiction of its elected representatives, has made such great strides since its inception, has shown such exemplary devotion and loyalty, and has preserved and reinforced so nobly the solidity of its foundations.
This Community, which owes its birth to the revelation of the Tablets of the Divine Plan, must now brace itself, during the fleeting months that lie ahead, for a supreme, a concerted and sustained effort to ensure the attainment of the objectives of the present Plan, and thereby acquire the spiritual potentialities essential to the launching of a mighty Crusade, in collaboration with the Trustees of the Plan, conceived by the Center of Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant, and with its neighbouring sister communities in Latin America and in the Indian Sub-continent, destined to culminate in the fullness of time in the Spiritual conquest of the multitudinous islands of the South Pacific Ocean.
So exalted a mission, so strenuous a task, so weighty a responsibility call for, while the Present Preparatory Plan speeds to its end, an unprecedented demonstration on the part of young and old, of both men and women, whether administrators or teachers, veterans or neophytes, of solidarity, determination, zeal and constancy, a still greater display of self-sacrifice, a wider dispersion of forces, a more energetic discharge of duty, a clearer vision, a firmer grasp, of the requirements of the present hour, and a more complete dedication to the purposes of the present-day enterprise.
The steady multiplication of Bahá'í Administrative institutions; the rapid consolidation of these basic agencies on which the speedy expansion of the community beyond its borders must ultimately depend; the early incorporation of all steadily functioning Assemblies as a means of further reinforcing a newly erected administrative structure; the systematic and vigorous dissemination of Bahá'í literature, and the gradual proclamation of the Faith through the Press and Radio; the initiation of measures designed to forge friendly links between these newly-fledged Assemblies and local civil authorities, and a parallel effort aimed at the strengthening of the ties binding the Bahá'í Supreme Administrative Body with both the Federal and State authorities - above all the constant deepening of the spiritual life of the individual believers, the enrichment of community life, the promotion of greater unity, harmony and cooperation among the rank and file of the followers of the Faith - these are the essential prerequisites to which special attention should be directed in preparation for the great campaign destined to be launched in that remote corner of the globe, by one of the most youthful and promising Bahá'í national communities, on the morrow of the world-wide celebrations of the centenary of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh's Prophetic Mission.
Afire with the vision that now opens before their eyes; conscious of the substantial share of responsibility they must assume, in conjunction with the Indian, the Pakistani, the North American, and the Latin American followers of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, in uplifting the banner of the Most Great Name amidst the dwellers of these scattered, distant and in some cases isolated, Islands of the South, and in drawing them into the orbit of His constantly evolving Administrative Order; fortified by the magnificent progress they themselves have achieved in their own homelands; and confident of the irresistible and mysterious power instilled by the Hand of Providence in every agency associated with His Most Holy Name, let the members of these rapidly maturing, fast evolving, soundly established, Bahá'í communities throughout Australasia arise, as they have never heretofore done, and during the concluding phase of their present fate-laden Plan, to seal their high endeavours with total and complete victory, and thereby open a chapter of undreamt-of glory that will add an imperishable lustre to the annals of an immortal Faith.
Just as their first collective enterprise, through its resounding success, contributed its particular share of tribute to the memory of the Herald of their Faith, on the occasion of the centenary of the birth of His Revelation, may their present collective enterprise, through its consummation, qualify and empower them to play a distinctive role in the celebration of the Great Jubilee that will mark the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh's Prophetic Mission.
A great opportunity lies before them. Much of the present mighty task still remains to be achieved. Immense virgin fields stretch before them, flanked, on the one side, by a sister community in the South American continent, and on the other by another sister community in the vast Indian sub-continent, both ready and eager to extend their help in prosecuting a memorable, a gigantic and supremely arduous task. May they, when the hour strikes, be found ready and well equipped to assume the onerous responsibilities that will fall to their share. Shoghi.
22 November 1951 [Irene Cover - Australia]
Dear Bahá'í Friend:
Your letter dated Oct. 8 reached the beloved Guardian, and he deeply appreciated receiving your loving contribution for the Shrine. I am enclosing his receipt.
He wishes you both every success in your efforts to spread the Cause of God, and assures you of his loving prayers.
With warmest greetings, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my deep appreciation of your contribution & of my loving prayers on your behalf,
Your true brother, Shoghi
24 November 1951 [Fiji]
Mrs. Zainab S. Khan
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter dated Oct. 6th has been received, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.
The Guardian was very sorry to hear of your sufferings, and he assures you he will pray for God to bless you because of your steadfastness in His Faith and your love for Him.
Although you are not happy at home, he feels it is better for you to remain in Fiji. If you go, all alone, to another country you may find it hard to earn your living, and undergo other hardships as well. Whereas in Suva you have friends, fellow-Bahá'ís who love you, and also work.
He urges you to be patient with your family. Perhaps gradually your parents will come to admire your spirit, and be more tolerant of your being a Bahá'í.
He urges you also not to be discouraged, but to go on quietly serving the Faith all you can.
With Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
May the Almighty bless, comfort & protect you, reward you for your labours, guide & sustain you, remove every obstacle from your path, & enable you to promote the best interests of His Faith,
Your true brother, Shoghi
2 December 1951 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of October 17th has been received by the beloved Guardian, as well as the contribution you forwarded, a receipt for which I am enclosing.
Will you kindly assure the individuals, groups and Assemblies who contributed, of the Guardian's very deep appreciation of this assistance they are giving to the work of the Shrine here.
The building is going ahead rapidly; and he hopes that, within a couple of months, the octagon will be finished, and the drum section which will support the dome, can be commenced without any interruption.
With loving Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani.
May the Beloved abundantly reward and bless all who have contributed for the construction of the Shrine, sustain them in their efforts, and aid them to win great victories in the service of our beloved Faith,
Your true brother, Shoghi.
4 December 1951 [Australia]
Noel Bluett
Dear Bahá'í Brother,
Your letter of the 14th 'Ilm has been received; and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was most happy to hear that you are rendering the Faith pioneer services; and assures you that he will supplicate in the Holy Shrines that your labours may be blessed, and yield a rich harvest of new believers.
He urges you to persevere, confident that ultimately success will be yours.
With warmest Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani
May the Beloved bless richly your pioneer services, guide every step you take, remove every obstacle from your path, and enable you to promote the best interests of His Faith,
your true brother, Shoghi
16 December 1951 [Australia]
Mr & Mrs J.C. Lovelady
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
Your letter of November 20th, together with your loving contribution for the Shrine of the Báb, has been received; and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you, and to send you the enclosed receipt.
It is truly gladdening the heart of our Guardian to see the steady progress being made on this holy edifice; which is serving to draw the devoted believers all over the world closer to the World Center of their Faith.
With warm Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my deep appreciation of your contribution, & of my loving prayers on your behalf,
Your true brother, Shoghi
16 December 1951
Mrs K.A.G. Muller, 349 Willarong Rd., Caringbah. N.S.W. Aust.
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of November 21st, together with your kind contribution for the Shrine of the Báb, has been received; and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you on his behalf.
It greatly pleased our Guardian to know that you and your sister are such active and devoted believers; and he wishes me to assure you of his loving prayers at the Holy Shrines.
With warm Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my deep appreciation of your contribution, & of my loving prayers on your behalf,
Your true brother, Shoghi
30 December 1951
New Zealand Summer School care Natbahai Sydney
ASSURE ATTENDANTS FERVENT PRAYERS SUCCESS HIGH ENDEAVOURS SHOGHI
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