The Unfolding Destiny of the British Bahai Community Part 30

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The various and compelling evidences of the unquenchable enthusiasm, the unbreakable resolution and the inflexible purpose of the English believers, in these days of stress, of turmoil and danger, have cheered my heart and fortified me in the discharge of my arduous and mult.i.tudinous duties and responsibilities. I feel truly proud of them all, and will, with increasing grat.i.tude and redoubled fervour, supplicate the Beloved whose Cause they are so valiantly serving, to bless, sustain, guide and protect them under all circ.u.mstances, and aid them to establish firmly the inst.i.tutions of His Faith throughout the length and breadth of their country.

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

Letter of 29 December 1939

29 December 1939

Dear Baha'i Brother,

I am instructed by our beloved Guardian to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your communication of the 19th December, sent through the care of our very dear brother Dr. 'Ali, and of the twenty copies of the newly-published prayer book, as well as the last copy of the "Baha'i Journal" and the Christmas number of "New World Order".

He has also received and read with deep satisfaction the statement on 'Baha'is and War' recently issued by the N.S.A., together with the teaching report prepared by your a.s.sembly, both of which he will consider for incorporation in the next issue of the "Baha'i World", the ma.n.u.script of which he hopes to receive in the course of January or February next....

The Guardian welcomes the plan suggested by Mr. Townshend to republish "The Promise of All Ages" under his own name, and trusts this will serve to attract wider publicity to the Cause, and in particular to fully awaken the church officials to the significance of such direct and vigorous presentation of the Faith by so well-known and long-standing a Christian divine.

Renewing to you and your dear fellow-members and to all the friends in London, the a.s.surances of his prayers for your welfare and protection in these perilous days, and with his warmest greetings to you all....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The news of your persistent activities, your safety and protection, and above all of your unyielding resolve and undisturbed confidence in the face of the uncertainties and perils that face and surround you, have greatly cheered and heartened me in my duties and responsibilities which are now heavily pressing upon me. You are often in my thoughts and prayers at this grave hour. I cherish the brightest hopes for you, and will continue to supplicate the Almighty on your behalf.

Be a.s.sured, persevere and be happy, Shoghi

Letter of 1 January 1940

1 January 1940(29)

PROFOUNDLY GRIEVE Pa.s.sING DEARLY BELOVED OUTSTANDING CO-WORKER SITaRIH _KH_aNUM MEMORY HER GLORIOUS SERVICES IMPERISHABLE ADVISE ENGLISH COMMUNITY HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL GATHERINGS a.s.sURE RELATIVES MY HEARTFELT SYMPATHY LOVING FERVENT PRAYERS.

SHOGHI RABBaNi

Letter of 2 January 1940 (Teaching Conference)

2 January 1940 (Teaching Conference)

WELCOME n.o.bLE RESOLVE PROSECUTE ENERGETICALLY TEACHING CAMPAIGN PRAYING ARDENTLY SIGNAL SUCCESS.

SHOGHI RABBaNi

Letter of 18 February 1940

18 February 1940

Dear Mr. Hofman,

The Guardian wishes me to write and thank you for your welcome communication of January 29th with its various enclosures, all of which he was indeed most gratified and encouraged to read.

As you have not mentioned having received his general letter of December 21st written in connection with the transfer of the sacred remains of the Purest Branch and of 'Abdu'l-Baha's mother to Mt. Carmel, I am taking the liberty of sending you on his behalf another copy which, I trust, will reach you safely....

The Guardian welcomes your suggestions to send a memorial of the late Lady Blomfield for publication in the next issue of the "Baha'i World", Vol.

VIII, and wishes you to send him in addition a good photograph of her for reproduction in the same volume.

Also he would appreciate your sending him a brief account of Mrs.

Thornburgh-Cropper's Baha'i life and services together with her photograph for publication in the same issue of the Biennial.

The pa.s.sing away of these two long-standing believers has indeed robbed the Cause in England of two of its most distinguished members, and the English Baha'i Community is certainly the poorer now that it has been deprived of their ready and invaluable support.

The departure of Sitarih _Kh_anum in particular is to be deeply mourned, not only by the members of the Faith throughout England, but by so many of her fellow-believers abroad, and the Guardian himself feels most keenly the loss of so precious and faithful a co-worker, who, in the early days following 'Abdu'l-Baha's ascension, had proved of such invaluable a.s.sistance to him in the discharge of his heavy duties and responsibilities....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-workers,

I wish to reaffirm my deep sense of grat.i.tude and admiration for the splendid manner in which the English believers are discharging their duties and responsibilities in these days of increasing peril, anxiety and stress. Their tenacity, courage, faith and n.o.ble exertions will as a magnet attract the undoubted and promised blessing of Baha'u'llah. They have, at a time when the basis of ordered society itself is rocking and trembling, laid an una.s.sailable foundation for the Administrative Order of their Faith. Upon this basis the rising generation will erect a n.o.ble structure that will excite the admiration of their fellow countrymen. My prayers for them will continually be offered at the Holy Shrines.

Gratefully, Shoghi

Letter of 27 March 1940

27 March 1940

Dear Mr. Hofman,