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1 January 1955 [New Zealand Summer School]
ASSURE ATTENDANTS FERVENT LOVING PRAYERS ATTAINMENT OF OBJECTIVES SHOGHI
5 January 1955 [Yerrinbool Summer School]
Yerrinbool Summer school care Natbahai Sydney
APPRECIATE GREETINGS ASSURE LOVING PRAYERS
6 January 1955 [Australia]
Miss Kitty Carpenter.
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of December 21st with enclosure has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He is happy to know that the New Zealand Hazíratu'l-Quds is being made attractive for the many activities that will take place in this Center, and he hopes it will become the means of the greatest unity and loving cooperation among the friends.
He assures all the friends in New Zealand of his deep appreciation of their devoted services.
With warm Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani
May the Beloved bless, guide & sustain you, & enable you to promote, at all times, the vital interests of His Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
29 January 1955
To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand.
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
I am enclosing herewith, Title Deed to two parcels of land on Mt. Carmel, which is registered in the name of
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand - Israel Branch.
It covers parcel 84, Block 10812, and parcel 424, Block 10810, on Mt. Carmel, Haifa. It is a part of the Gardens surrounding the Resting Places of the Greatest Holy Leaf, and the Mother and Brother of 'Abdu'l-Bahá; as well as the Gardens before the new International Archives Building. It covers approximately 1200 square meters of land.
The Guardian asks that you carefully file and preserve this important document of title to this important piece of land on Mt. Carmel. With loving Bahá'í Greetings.
Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas
P.S. The Guardian is now negotiating for a piece of land west of the Shrine of the Báb. When this transaction is concluded, he will have the land registered in the name of your Israel Branch, as this has been.
5 February 1955 [Eric & Marjorie Bowes - Australia]
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
Your letter of Jan. 19th has been received, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He is always sorry to have to postpone the friends coming to Haifa, especially when they come from far! But, as he takes them in priority of request - and the space, so to speak, is all filled up until well on in next winter - he had to put your family off too. He hopes a future date will be feasible for you.
As to your plans in Europe: he feels any teaching and visiting you could do to weak centers and surrounding Island goals in and near Britain would be a welcome asset to the work; you should consult the British N.S.A. and the European Teaching Committee.
He deeply values your family's devoted labours for the promotion of the Faith, and assures you of his loving prayers.
with Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
May the Beloved bless your efforts, & guide your steps in the service of our beloved Faith,
Your true brother, Shoghi
22 February 1955 [Mariana Islands]
Mrs. Cynthia Olson.
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
The beloved Guardian was greatly delighted to receive your letter of January 26th, coming from the Marianas Islands, one of the goal areas of the Ten Year Crusade.
The contribution which you have sent is greatly appreciated. Receipt is enclosed herewith, made out in the names of your husband and yourself.
The Guardian feels it is of spiritual importance that a contribution has come from that difficult territory, because it links it spiritually with the World Centre of the Faith.
The Guardian wishes to assure you of his prayers in your behalf. He likewise assures you of his prayers for your dear husband. He hopes that every problem will be overcome, so that you two may serve together in the Marianas for the development and expansion of the Faith.
The Guardian will likewise pray for Mr. Mackey, who he hopes will become an active Bahá'í, and will be able to render outstanding services to the Cause of God.
The Guardian sends you his loving greetings.
Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas, Assistant Secretary
8 March 1955
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand.
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
The Beloved Guardian is very anxious to secure as quickly as possible, data concerning the Hazíratu'l-Quds which have been acquired in connection with the goals of the Ten Year Crusade. To this end, he would very greatly appreciate your sending me by return air mail the information concerning the Hazírat'l-Quds in Sydney and Auckland.
He would like to know the area of land involved, the size of the building, so far as number of rooms is concerned, the original purchase price of the Hazíratu'l-Quds, the expenses of the transaction, and then the total cost.
The Guardian asks that this be sent to me by return air mail. Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas, Assistant Secretary
11 March 1955
Edith Danielson Rarotonga Cook Is.1
DELIGHTED LOVING PRAYERS
16 March 1955 [Australia]
Frank Wyss care Natbahai Sydney2
POSTPONE PILGRIMAGE
17 March 1955
National Youth Committee of Australia and New Zealand
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
The beloved Guardian appreciates your Naw-RÏz Greetings, which he reciprocates, and will pray for your success in the Holy Shrines.
With warm Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani
7 April 1955
To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand.
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
The Beloved Guardian sends you his loving greetings. He values your devoted services to the Faith very much, and prays that you will be eminently successful in all your activities, and win new goals and victories for the Faith at all times.
The Guardian has received word recently, that the Cocos Islands had become a part of the Australian Nation, or would soon do so; - also that the inhabitants of the Islands would be given Australian citizenship.
If that is the case, he hopes your Assembly will find it possible to send a pioneer into the Islands, so another of the virgin goals of the Crusade will be filled. He feels if the Islands are now a part of Australia, it should not be hard for an Australian citizen to enter the Islands, and teach the Faith there. Will you please let me know in due course if anything can be done. Do not forget that anyone entering the Islands will become a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh.
With loving Bahá'í Greetings, I am, Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas
7 April 1955 [Australia]
Mr H. Collis Featherstone:
Dear Bahá'í Brother:
Your loving letter of March 19th, has been received by the Beloved Guardian, and he has directed me to acknowledge it on his behalf. The contribution you have made to the International Fund is greatly appreciated, Receipt is enclosed herewith.
The Guardian greatly values your devoted and sacrificial services to the Cause of God, as well as those of your dear wife. He will pray for your guidance and confirmation; that every obstacle may be removed from your path, and you be enabled to render distinguished and outstanding service to our beloved Faith.
The Guardian enjoyed reading the copies of the Koala News which you attached to your letter.
He attached the utmost importance to the Incorporation of the Local Assemblies, and he hopes you will meet with every success in your presentation to the Parliament in South Australia of a bill which will automatically incorporate the existing five Assemblies in South Australia, as well as other Assemblies as they come in to being.
The Guardian hopes likewise you will be successful in your efforts to have the remaining virgin areas settled. In this connection, he understands that the Cocos Islands are to become a part of the Australian nation soon, and those living on the Islands will be Australian citizens. If that is the case, couldn't some one from Australia pioneer, without difficulty, in the Cocos. He would welcome this being done, if at all possible.
The Guardian was also happy to learn of the active steps being taken to translate the literature; and welcomes the report that the literature is now being disseminated in Roviana. In this connection, he asks that you send the Blums, his deep appreciation of their services. He values them most highly, and prays for their complete success.
The Guardian sends you his loving Greetings. Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas.
9 April 1955 [Australia]
Miss Margaret Forrest.3
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of March 15th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was very happy to hear of your activities in the service of the Faith; and particularly that in Brisbane, the Bahá'ís - a united Group, which attracts the unfailing blessings of God, - are able to work with foreign students. The teaching of foreign students forms an excellent concomitant to the work in the pioneer field. Many times people from distant lands are converted abroad, and return to either carry the Message to their own country for the first time, or support the labours of some isolated and patient pioneer.
The Guardian thinks perhaps a different approach to the aborigines might attract them; one of being interested in their lives and their folklore, and of trying to become their friend, rather than trying to change them or improve them.
If you could form a friendship with an aborigine who had more spiritual and mental capacity than the average, you might find out that out of this friendship would spring an interest in the Faith; but no doubt great patience is required to enter into the thought of these people, so different from ourselves in background and training.
He feels you should concentrate on teaching people who will be able to grasp the Faith; and, although work with spastic children is no doubt highly meritorious as a philanthropic activity, in view of the fact that only we Bahá'ís can give the Message to the people in these dark days, he thinks it is a pity for a Bahá'í to waste too much time on that kind of work. Direct teaching is more important, especially teaching the aborigines.
He will certainly pray for you and your dear mother, that you may be successful in serving the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh.
With warm Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my loving prayers for your success & spiritual advancement,
Your true brother, Shoghi
26 April 1955 [National Spiritual Assembly]
CABLE IMMEDIATELY NAMES NEW ASSEMBLIES AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND SHOGHI
28 April 1955 [National Convention - Australia and New Zealand]
DEEPEST APPRECIATION MESSAGE CONVENTION FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING UNPRECEDENTED BLESSINGS URGE RENEWED EFFORTS ATTAINMENT GOALS PLAN DEEPEST LOVE SHOGHI
29 April 1955 [National Convention - Australia and New Zealand]
DEEPLY APPRECIATE CONVENTION MESSAGE STOP APPEAL ASSEMBLED DELEGATES DELIBERATE URGE LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARISE COURSE LAST YEAR SECOND PHASE TEN YEAR PLAN REDOUBLE EFFORTS ATTAINMENT GOALS PARTICULARLY MULTIPLICATION CENTERS ASSEMBLIES EXPEDITE LOCAL INCORPORATION TRANSLATION LITERATURE INTENSIFICATION TEACHING CONSOLIDATION NEWLY OPENED TERRITORIES ESTABLISHMENT NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS STOP FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING UNPRECEDENTED BLESSINGS MUCH LOVED GREATLY ADMIRED VALIANT COMMUNITIES ANTIPODES SHOGHI
30 April 1955 [Fiji]
Mr. Nur Ali.4
Dear Bahá'í Brother:
Your letter of April 19th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
The Guardian feels that medicine would offer your son a much wider field of service to the Bahá'í Faith; and that, since you are such a devoted and harmonious family, you should try and give the boy a medical training, if he likes medicine.
With warm Bahá'í greetings,
R. Rabbani
P.S. I should like to add that he is very happy indeed over the progress being made in Fiji, the purchase of the Bahá'í Headquarters and the incorporation of the Assembly. He urges you and all the friends, to persevere in your teaching work and consolidate the foundations already laid in that important outpost of our glorious Faith.
May the Almighty bless your meritorious labours, guide every step you take, remove all obstacles from your path, & enable you to consolidate the splendid work that has been initiated in that far-off and highly important centre,
Your true brother, Shoghi
19 June 1955 [Australia]
James Chittleborough5
Dear Bahá'í Brother:
Your letter to our beloved Guardian dated May 16, has been received, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
By dispersal the Guardian means the friends should get away entirely from the large centers of population and, leaving a nucleus of about 15 Bahá'ís to maintain the Local Assembly, go settle, live and teach in new towns, cities and even villages. Naturally, it is no service to the Cause to disperse if it breaks up an existing Assembly. The purpose of dispersal is to create more Assemblies over a wider area. Until a given Assembly can spare some of its local Community to go out and settle, they should by all means at least do extension teaching.
The status of Adelaide and adjacent Communities is a matter for the N.S.A. to decide.
In the instance you cited about the friend who, with independent means was willing to go out and sell her home and move to a new area, he feels she would have done better to go. You had more than 9 members in your community; you could have found another place to meet. This is just the type of pioneering the Guardian is urging. Those who can go should go. Others will arise locally to take their places.
He will pray for the success of your devoted labours to promote the Faith.
With warm Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my loving prayers for your success & spiritual advancement,
Your true brother, Shoghi
27 June 1955 [New Hebrides]
Mr Peter Kaltoli6
Dear Bahá'í Brother:
Our beloved Guardian was extremely happy to receive your letter to him dated May 10th. He welcomes you into the service of our glorious Faith and feels sure you will be able to bring the knowledge of Bahá'u'lláh to many of your fellow countrymen out there.
The first step is to teach the Faith. As the number of Bahá'ís increases the pattern of a future, a truly spiritual society, will emerge, and as it unfolds will influence ever increasingly the way of life of the masses of the people. It is like the dawn, gradually becoming lighter until the full light of the day comes.
Please give his loving greetings to dear Mrs Dobbins who has left her home and gone so far to carry to you the Message of Bahá'u'lláh.
The Guardian will pray for your success in every way and for your dear family as well.
With warmest Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani
May the Almighty bless every effort you exert, & fulfil every hope you cherish, for the promotion of our beloved Faith, & aid you to win great victories in its service,
Your true brother, Shoghi
8 July 1955 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Dear Bahá'í Co-workers,
Your loving letter of June 27th, has come to hand and its contents presented to the Beloved Guardian.
He is very hopeful the plans for Mr. Wyss to return to Cocos will materialise so that he may carry on actively the teaching of the Faith in that important island. The Guardian will pray for Mr. Wyss; that every obstacle may be removed from his path, and he attain his goal of establishing the Faith in Cocos.
It is necessary for newly formed National Assemblies to have both their Hazíras and their Endowments. So far as the Endowment is concerned, this must be a piece of land, not funds; and need not be large. In fact, something costing about $1000. Mrs. Amelia Collins, the beloved Hand of the Cause, has contributed a fund to cover these endowments. Therefore when you purchase the endowment for New Zealand, you can apply to the American NSA, as they are handling the distribution of these funds for her. For the purpose of this goal of the Crusade, Summer Schools, or Summer School property is not considered an Endowment. It must be a small plot purchased exclusively for this purpose.
So far as Suva is concerned, it will have to have its Hazíra and Endowment. Again, the contribution of Mrs. Collins will make this a simple matter. As I understand it, the formation of the Regional Assembly for the South Pacific is a responsibility of the American NSA, and therefore, presumably, they will in due course take care of the Endowment goal directly.
The Guardian is well pleased with the activities of the Friends in Australia and New Zealand. They are undertaking the fulfilment of their responsibilities with determination, and he is sure they will not hesitate until all the goals are won.
The Guardian was happy to learn of the progress of the Incorporations, to which he attaches great importance. Likewise he was pleased with the translation of Mr. Christian's pamphlet into Pidgin English for use in Rabaul, etc.7
The sufferings of the Persian Bahá'ís have been intense and severe. The persecutions and atrocities are completely unwarranted. Yet the Friends are not flinching, and are an example of fortitude and devotion. The spirit which has been released through these sufferings must be seized by the Friends in other parts of the world, and the torch of the Faith carried to new heights and horizons, both physical and spiritual.
The Guardian prays the Friends everywhere will arise with such a determination as to offset the difficulties being experienced in Persia.
The Guardian assures you of his prayers in your behalf. He sends you his loving Greetings. Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas, Assist. Secy.
24 July 1955 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Dear Bahá'í Brother:
Your letters of July 27, August 5, and November 16, 1954, and January 21, and July 5, 1955, with enclosures, have been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He is very happy over the progress which has been made in the area under your Assembly's jurisdiction during the past year. The news of the purchase of the Hazíratu'l-Quds in Auckland was most welcome. The acquisition of this building is really one of the pre-requisites for the formation of the National Assembly of New Zealand; he hopes that the impetus this has given to the work of the Faith there, combined with the devotion of the Bahá'ís will speed the formation of Local Assemblies, which alone constitute the necessary firm foundation for the National Body, a Body which will be one of the direct pillars supporting the International House of Justice. He urges, therefore, your Assembly to give all the teaching help it can to New Zealand; and to encourage the believers there to do their utmost to achieve their goals.
The wonderful spirit the pioneers from Australia and New Zealand have shown is a source of pride to the Guardian. Already they have garnered many rich prizes for the Faith in the form of such romantic, remote and inaccessible isles as Tonga, the Solomons and the Society Islands. Their determination, devotion and courage are exemplary in every way; and he hopes they will persevere, and not abandon their posts.
It must be made quite clear to the Bahá'ís that opening a new territory or a new town for that matter, meritorious as it is, is nevertheless only the first move. The consolidation of the Bahá'í work undertaken there is the most important thing of all. Victories are won usually through a great deal of patience, planning and perseverance, and rarely accomplished at a single stroke.
He was very glad to see that your Assembly had promptly gone to the aid of Mr. Blum. Without the support you gave him so generously and quickly, he might well have been forced to abandon this important post, which would have indeed been a great defeat to our work.
He was very happy to receive the Samoan and Tongan pamphlets. However restricted in size, such pamphlets as these are a great asset to the literature of the Faith, and enable the teaching work to progress more rapidly. He hopes that the pioneers will bear this in mind; and if they find any languages that would be of real use to their teaching work, and can get a small pamphlet translated into them, they will endeavour to do so.
As he already cabled you, of the extra 3,000 Dollars which you had left over in the Hazíratu'l-Quds Fund for New Zealand, he wishes you to keep half for the teaching activities carried out under your jurisdiction, and forward the other half to England for the work there, as they are in need of assistance in carrying forward the many important tasks allotted to the British National Spiritual Assembly.
The purchase of the Temple site - reasonable in sum, reasonable in area, and excellent in position - brought great joy to his heart.
He is indeed proud of the achievements of the believers of Australia and New Zealand, and the well-balanced, intelligent and persevering manner in which they go about their business.
He hopes that the private bill you are planning to have passed in the Upper Houses, and which will give the Bahá'ís legal recognition, will go through successfully. In view of the precedent of the Canadian Parliament when a special Act was passed, legalizing the status of the Bahá'ís in that country, he feels that you should not have much difficulty in Australia.
He is hoping that, after the Ridván elections, good news will reach him of the formation of many more new Spiritual Assemblies in both Australia and New Zealand. The multiplication of Bahá'í Centers is, at the present stage of the development of the Cause, of the greatest importance. In the first place, it means that news of the coming of Bahá'u'lláh is being made available to a greater number of the population; and in the second place, it broadens the foundation of the national institutions which must elect the International House of Justice. Believers in centres that possess a relatively large voting list should bear in mind that at this time it is highly important and acceptable in the sight of God to disperse and carry the Message to new Centres, both outside the country and within it.
Your Assembly should bear in mind the necessity, in the future at any rate, of having firmly grounded Local Assemblies in all of the States of Australia and New Zealand; and also the importance of increasing the representation of the minority races, such as the Aborigines and the Maoris, within the Bahá'í Community. Special effort should be made to contact these people and to teach them; and the Bahá'ís in Australia and New Zealand should consider that every one of them that can be won to the Faith is a precious acquisition.
As he surveys the progress being made throughout the Bahá'í world, he is particularly pleased with that achieved in the Antipodes. The soundness, healthiness and vigour of the Bahá'í Community "down under" is a source of great joy to him, and he feels is an example to the Bahá'ís in other continents of the globe.
He remembers the members of your Assembly and all the dear Bahá'í pioneers and those labouring at home in his prayers in the Holy Shrines, and supplicates that you all may be richly blessed, and render the Faith devoted services.
With warm Bahá'í love, R. Rabbani.
Dear and valued co-workers:
The achievements that have distinguished and ennobled the record of services rendered by the valiant, fast expanding, steadily consolidating, richly endowed, highly promising Bahá'í Communities in the Antipodes have brought intense joy to my heart, and have, no doubt, excited the admiration of the members of their sister communities throughout the Bahá'í world. The contribution which, severally and collectively, the organised followers of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh in the Australian continent, in New Zealand and in Tasmania, are making towards the progress of the Ten-Year Crusade in so many of its aspects, ever since its inception, is truly exemplary and augurs well for their future development and triumph under the provisions of this momentous Ten Year Plan.
The steady increase in the number of believers, of isolated centres, groups and Assemblies evokes my deep and heartfelt admiration and gratitude. The purchase of the site of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkár in the Antipodes is a service that has greatly enhanced the prestige of the Faith, and constitutes a historic victory worthy to rank as a distinct milestone in the history of its progressive unfoldment throughout Australasia. The purchase of the Hazíratu'l-Quds in Auckland, as the future headquarters of the New Zealand National Spiritual Assembly, is another accomplishment that merits the highest praise. The opening of the virgin territories assigned, under the Ten-Year Plan, to the elected representatives of these communities has, furthermore, demonstrated the readiness of the members of these communities to speedily and worthily achieve the goals of this dynamic Plan in this particular and vital sphere of collective Bahá'í endeavour. The assistance extended by these same representatives to their brethren in the Indian sub-continent in connection with the translation of Bahá'í literature into the languages allotted to them, under this same Plan, affords, moreover, further evidence of their alacrity, their devotion, their watchfulness in promoting, in every way possible, the manifold interests of their beloved Faith at this crucial stage in its development and consolidation.
Laden with such victories, conscious of the future brightness of their mission, fully relying in the efficacy of that celestial aid which has at no time failed them in the past, it behoves them to rededicate themselves, during the opening months of the last year of the second phase of this world encompassing Crusade, to the tasks they have so splendidly initiated. The scope of their activities, now ranging out far into the South Pacific Ocean, must rapidly widen. Their determination to fulfil their tasks must never for a moment falter. Their vision of the glorious destiny bound up with the triumphant accomplishment of their collective enterprise must remain undimmed. Their willingness to sacrifice unstintingly until every single objective of the Plan has been achieved must, under no circumstances, be allowed to weaken. Their unity and solidarity in the pursuit and attainment of their immediate as well as distant objectives must, at all times, continue unimpaired. The prizes they have won, at the expense of so much sacrifice, in the islands neighbouring the Australian continent, as well as in those lying further from its shores in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans, must not, however strenuous the effort required, be jeopardized. The opening of the one remaining island as yet unopened among those allotted to them under the Ten-Year Plan must be speedily undertaken. The translation of Bahá'í literature into the few remaining languages which still require the concentrated attention of their elected representatives must in no wise be neglected. The process of Bahá'í incorporation, constituting one of the most vital features of their collective enterprise, must be accelerated - however formidable the obstacles which stand in their path. The establishment of Bahá'í endowments in the Dominion of New Zealand is yet another responsibility devolving upon their elected national representatives, a responsibility devolving upon their elected national representatives, a responsibility which should be discharged prior to the emergence of an independent National Assembly in that distant and promising island.
Whilst these immediate goals are being steadily and resolutely pursued, attention should, likewise, be particularly directed to the vital need for the constant multiplication of isolated centres, groups and Local Assemblies, as well as to the necessity of increasing, to an unprecedented degree, the number of the avowed adherents of the Faith who can directly and effectively contribute to the broadening of its foundations and the expansion of its nascent institutions. Particularly in the Dominion of New Zealand, where a pillar of the future Universal House of Justice will soon be erected, must a fresh impetus be lent to this vital process which can alone reinforce the foundations on which this projected institution must ultimately rest.
The Community of the followers of Bahá'u'lláh in the Antipodes is approaching a milestone of great significance in the course of its development through the emergence of this major institution, destined to play a notable part in the evolution of the administrative Order of the Faith in the Pacific Area.
Fully aware of their high and inescapable responsibilities at this crucial stage in the expansion and consolidation of their institutions, challenged and stimulated by the tragic and heart-rending tidings reaching them from Bahá'u'lláh's native land, where a wave of persecution of uncommon severity has swept over His followers in both the Capital and the provinces; conscious and appreciative of the blessing of freedom so cruelly denied their oppressed brethren in the cradle of their Faith; and determined to offset by their exertions the losses sustained by the Faith in that land, the members of this privileged, this valiant and forward marching community must display, in the months immediately ahead, such a spirit of devotion and of self-sacrifice as will outshine the brilliance and glory of their past and present achievements.
Theirs is an opportunity which they can not ignore or neglect. Theirs is a duty which if worthily performed will no doubt draw them closer to the throne of Bahá'u'lláh, and considerably enrich their share of inestimable blessings stored for them in the Abhá Kingdom. May they by their response to the call of the present hour prove themselves worthy of the high mission with which they have been entrusted. Shoghi.
26 August 1955 [Australia]
Mr. James Chittleborough.
Dear Bahá'í Brother:
The beloved Guardian has received your letter of July 22nd, and has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
In regard to your questions regarding dispersal, the Guardian has laid down the general principle. Now you should consult the National Spiritual Assembly as to the purely minor questions, such as those raised in your letter.
The important thing is to go forth, and either pioneer in a virgin area, or go to some locality where there is a group established, and help them, by teaching and by your services to the Faith there, to reach Assembly status. With warm Bahá'í greetings,
R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my loving prayers for your success & spiritual advancement,
Your true brother, Shoghi
13 September 1955 [Australia]
Mrs. Jean Millway.
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of August 20th with enclosure has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He greatly appreciates your contribution given to help the dear persecuted Bahá'ís in Persia. Receipt is enclosed.
The Guardian feels it is very appropriate that you have made a contribution to the "Save the Persecuted" fund. The Guardian will see that this money reaches its proper goal in Persia. The persecutions have been very severe indeed. However apparently the concerted efforts of the friends all over the world and their prayers, have ameliorated the condition, because there have been no outward manifestations of ill treatment recently.
The Guardian greatly values the services and sacrifices of the friends in Australia and New Zealand. He feels sure they will reach new heights in their services during the coming year. The persecutions in Persia have touched the hearts of many, and it should be a good opportunity for the friends to win many converts to the Faith.
He assures you of his prayers in your behalf. Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas
18 September 1955
Mr. James Heggie, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand.
Dear Bahá'í Brother:
Your loving letter of September 5th has just come to hand, dealing with the question of incorporations of Local Assemblies, and other matters.
The Guardian, as I have written you previously, is very anxious to have Local Assemblies become incorporated, and as rapidly as possible.
As I wrote you in my letter of August 20th, the Guardian has enunciated the principle of the Constitution and By-Laws a number of times, and which were reiterated in my letter of August 20th.
He now leaves it to your Assembly to handle these matters to a conclusion with the Local Assemblies.
Perhaps I have not made it clear, but the Guardian feels that there should be no changes in the By-Laws and Constitution which has been put into effect all over the world except such minor corrections as may be necessary to adjust to local laws. The reason I mention this is that in your letter to the Local Assembly in Unley, you mention that should they have any further doubts, or be unable to carry out all the incorporations in accordance with the Guardian's instructions, they should let you know, and you would again refer the matter to the Guardian.
In the advices contained in my letter of August 20th, the Guardian now leaves these matters to your Assembly to see that the general program is followed.
I note in your letter of September 5th, you deal with various matters concerning which you had correspondence with the beloved Guardian, such as the sale of the Temple site, settlers in northern Australia, etc. If I may suggest, I think it would be well, in writing to me, to write only about such matters concerning which I have been instructed by the Guardian to address you. Other matters should be addressed directly to him. In other words, the policy he has adopted is that all correspondence should be addressed to him concerning all administrative and spiritual matters with the exception of certain items which he instructs me or someone else to correspond about. There is no intermediate step at present between the Guardian and the National Assemblies.
With loving Bahá'í greetings, I am,
Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas.
7 October 1955 [National Spiritual Assembly]
YOURS AUGUST 29 GUARDIAN FEELS GREATEST NAME TOO SACRED TO BE USED FOR SEAL AND DIRECTS THIS NOT BE DONE IOAS
7 October 1955
Mrs. Mariette G. Bolton, 40 Clinton Street, Orange. N.S.W. Australia.
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
The beloved Guardian has received your letter of recent date, and has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
You may anoint the friends in New Zealand with the attar of rose which you received from the Guardian when you were in Haifa.
He urges you to impress on the believers in New Zealand the tremendous importance of the teaching work. They should do their utmost in every possible way to add to the number of localities where believers are found; and then, by their devoted teaching efforts, confirm more souls in these centers, and bend their energies toward the establishment of more Local Assemblies. In this way they will build a broad and strong foundation for the future National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand.
The Guardian is happy to know that you are serving the Faith in Orange; and he hopes you will seize every opportunity to teach, so that before long others may be encouraged to join you and reinforce you in your noble work.
He deeply appreciates your devoted services, and prays that success may attend your efforts.
With warm Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani
May the Almighty abundantly reward you for your unforgettable and exemplary services, guide, sustain and bless you always, and aid you to enrich continually the record of your past accomplishments,
Your true brother, Shoghi
7 October 1955 [Australia]
Mr. James J. Chittleborough
Dear Bahá'í Brother:
Your letter of September 8th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
It pleased him greatly to learn that you have moved to Naracoorte in order to bring the Faith to this new center. He considers this a very valuable move; and deeply appreciates your devoted spirit and your determination to see the Cause advance.
The Guardian hopes your affairs may soon become adjusted; so that your dear wife and children may join you.
He assures you of his prayers that your efforts may be richly rewarded; and that in a short time, others will, through you, decide to join the ranks of the followers of Bahá'u'lláh.
With warm Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani
May the Beloved bless, guide & sustain you, & enable you to extend the range of your services to His Faith,
Your true brother, Shoghi
20 October 1955 [National Spiritual Assembly]
ASSURE HAUMONT8 LOVING APPRECIATION FERVENT
PRAYERS SHOGHI
21 October 1955 [Australia]
Miss Margaret Forrest.
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of September 21st has been receive by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was most happy to learn that your father has now become a Bahá'í; and extends to him through you a warm welcome into the Faith. He knows that this rejoices your own heart, and that of your dear mother. If his illness has been the cause of his determining to take this step, then it has been a great bounty to him. Please assure him of the Guardian's prayers for him.
He will also remember you and your mother in his supplications.
With warm Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani
Assuring you of my loving prayers for your success & spiritual advancement,
Your true brother, Shoghi
28 October 1955 [Australia]
Miss Kitty B. Carpenter.
Dear Bahá'í Sister:
Your letter of October 4th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
If the condition of the health of your parents is such that your presence is really needed, then you should not leave them. If, however, there is some other relative who could care for them, then you could help with the work in the South Island, and aid the friends in establishing the Faith on a solid foundation there.
The Guardian was happy to learn that your nephew in the South Island has now become a Bahá'í, as a result of your having spent some time visiting him. He hopes your nephew will determine, from the very beginning of his Bahá'í life, to teach within the limited sphere of his neighbours and friends in that isolated locality.
Your devotion and service to the Faith are deeply appreciated you may be sure.
With warm Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani
May the Beloved, whose Faith you promote, with such a devotion, zeal and perseverance, bountifully reward you, and aid you to extend continually the scope of your splendid achievements.
Your true brother, Shoghi
30 October 1955 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
At the instruction of the beloved Guardian, I am writing you this letter, the contents of which he wishes your Assembly to regard as strictly confidential for the time being, until such a time as he wishes to make it public.
He is seriously considering the possibility of having a Bahá'í Temple built in the Antipodes during the present 10 Year Plan, on the Temple site already purchased in Sydney. This would ensure a House of Worship in every Continent of the globe by 1963. Also, in view of the strong recrudescence of persecution and hatred of the Faith in Persia he feels that to erect Temples in Africa and Australasia - where it is possible to do so - would be a great comfort to the Persian believers and a befitting response to their enemies who may well make it unfeasible to build the Tehran Temple during this Plan.
In view of this he wishes you to approach qualified architects and request sketches - preliminary studies - for this Temple, which you can submit to him as soon as possible and from which he can indicate the one he feels would be most suitable. He makes this suggestion of studies first because the recent drawings submitted in competition in Germany (and forwarded to him) were all highly modernistic and undignified and a lot of money and time was spent for nothing. There was only one he considered at all possible, and this was not chosen by the judges; necessary qualifications: a building nine sides, surmounted by a dome. Note - circular building. Seating capacity 500 with possible additional seating in a balcony at a future date. Height 40 to 45 meters. Note: no assembly hall is to be included, only auditorium for worship, with no surrounding rooms, is necessary. Extra rooms for maintenance, toilets, caretaker, can be in basement.
There is no reason why is should look like the Chicago Temple; on the other hand, he feels these ultra-modern, often bizarre structures are not at all in keeping with the dignity of our Faith. The type of dome on such structures as Mason Remey's Temple for Haifa, the Shrine of the Báb and St. Peter's in Rome he considers beautiful in proportion and suitable. The style is naturally a question each architect would evolve for himself. What interests the Guardian is the symmetry of the ensemble and dignity.
He would urge your Assembly to get preliminary studies to him at the earliest possible date, and then he can indicate the one he feels most suitable and the architect can work up full details later.
With loving greetings, R. Rabbani.
26 November 1955 [Australia]
Frank Wyss care Natbahai Sydney
WELCOME PILGRIMAGE WITH BILL WASHINGTON SECOND WEEK FEBRUARY
26 November 1955
Charles Mackay PO Box 775 Agana Guam Mariana Islands
WELCOME PILGRIMAGE THIRD WEEK FEBRUARY
29 November 1955 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
This is just a note, written at the instruction of our beloved Guardian, to answer a question raised in your last letter.
As there is no definite and conclusive statement on Vivisection in the Bahá'í teachings, this is a matter which the International House of Justice will have to pass upon in the future.
With loving Bahá'í greetings to you all, and the assurance of the beloved Guardian's prayers for the success of your labours. R. Rabbani.
5 December 1955 [National Spiritual Assembly]
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
The beloved Guardian has received a copy of the translation of Kenneth Christian's "Basic Facts" entitled: "Olsamting Long Bilip Bahá'í".
The Guardian would like to know what language this is. Faithfully yours,
14 DECEMBER 1955 [Mariana Islands]
Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Olson.
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
Your letter of November 30th with enclosure has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
Your contribution to the international interests of the Faith is deeply appreciated. Receipt is enclosed herewith.
The Beloved Guardian was very happy indeed to learn of your activities, and the fact that you are settling in Inarajan. He is also happy that your affairs are taking a favourable turn, and that you have been successful in business, as well as securing a favourable place to live. He hopes that all of this may assist you in teaching the Cause and winning many of the people of Guam to the Faith, particularly the natives.
The Guardian will pray for the guidance and confirmation of Mr. Quesada, that he may be confirmed in the Faith and become an ardent supporter of its teachings and institutions.
The Guardian greatly values the sacrifices and devotion which animates you in your labours for the Cause of God. He is sure you will be richly blessed by the beloved Master. He sends you his loving greetings.
Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas
15 December 1955
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of India, Pakistan and Burma and National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
The beloved Guardian has directed me to write you in connection with the translation of Bahá'í literature into new languages, as called for by the Ten Year Crusade.
A total of 40 languages was assigned to the Australian and Indian National Spiritual Assemblies. Of these, literature has been translated into 24, leaving 16 into which literature has not yet been translated.
The Guardian feels that a very fine record has been established in the translation of literature into the 24 languages, and that your Assemblies may well be proud of the work they have accomplished. However he does feel it is of the utmost importance to complete this goal of the Ten Year Crusade just as quickly as possible; and he therefore would ask that your Assemblies undertake the translation of at least a small pamphlet into the remaining languages at the earliest possible date. He will appreciate your writing me for him just what the status is, and how soon you feel work can be started on these remaining languages.
Your early advice will be appreciated.
Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas
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