The Unfolding Destiny of the British Bahai Community Part 33

15 May 1941(31)

INFORMING MOTHER PRAYING HIS SOUL FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING PROTECTION DEVOTED MUCH LOVED ENGLISH BELIEVERS.

SHOGHI RABBaNi

Letter of 22 May 1941

22 May 1941

Dear Baha'i Friends,

Shoghi Effendi instructs me to answer your letter to him of March 10th, 1941 together with the minutes of your meeting held March 1st, 2nd and 3rd, and your Feb. "Baha'i Journal" and the "World Congress of Faiths"

programme, all of which he was very pleased indeed to receive.

I cannot adequately express to you all the warm love and profound admiration for the Baha'is of those islands which Shoghi Effendi feels. At such a time of personal danger and anguish the spirit of pure love and devotion to the Faith and Order of Baha'u'llah which they manifest, and which is so typified by the zeal and wisdom with which your National Spiritual a.s.sembly is handling the affairs of the Cause in that country, is a source of great comfort to the Guardian himself.

Indeed he feels that the N.S.A. members are bearing their load of responsibility in a manner which lifts partially the weight of cares from his own shoulders, and sets a n.o.ble example to all Baha'i administrative bodies.

In reference to your question contained in minute 208(32) of the recent N.S.A. meeting: Shoghi Effendi feels that while all Baha'is should be encouraged to turn to their a.s.sembly for the solution of their various problems, thus enabling the Spiritual a.s.sembly to fulfil one of its most important functions, yet they are quite free to write to him if they feel the urge to do so....

He was also very pleased to note the teaching plans undertaken by your body at this time, particularly in respect to Manchester. He hopes the believers there are all well and safe, and will pray for the confirmations of Baha'u'llah in their contemplated teaching campaign.

Indeed, dear friends, his thoughts and prayers are constantly with you and the beloved flock of English believers over whom you are so faithfully watching through these dark days.

He wishes you at all times to turn to him for any advice or help you may need.

With a.s.surances of his abiding love...

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly beloved co-workers,

As the dangers confronting the believers in the British Isles increase in number and gravity, my admiration, as well as the admiration of the Baha'is in East and West, for the spirit that animates those who face them, grows deeper and acquires added intensity and fervour. Though their numbers be small, and their activities restricted, and their trials and anxieties manifold and oppressive, yet their spiritual contribution through their fort.i.tude, valour and self-sacrifice, to the progressive unfoldment of the Faith's latent potentialities in the Western World is both notable and constantly increasing. As the clouds of war dissipate, and the horrors of this universal carnage fade away, it will become increasingly evident, to both the friends and foes of the Faith, how solid has been the foundation which their indomitable spirit has laid, and how rich the harvest which their incessant labours have yielded.

With a heart brimful with love and grat.i.tude, I will, when visiting the Holy Shrines, recall their signal acts, and supplicate increasing blessings on the historic work, which, in their hour of trial, they are so magnificently achieving, for the glory, for the honour, the extension and the establishment of the invincible Faith of Baha'u'llah.

Shoghi

Letter of 30 May 1941

30 May 1941

PRAYING FERVENTLY GUIDANCE a.s.sEMBLY'S DELIBERATIONS PROTECTION BELIEVERS SUCCESS ACTIVITIES FAITH LOVING APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI RABBaNi

Letter of 9 July 1941

9 July 1941

a.s.sURE JOSEPHS APPROVAL PROFOUND APPRECIATION BUILDING SCHEME. THESE FURTHER EVIDENCES GROWING VITALITY CONTINUALLY AFFLICTED BELIEVERS BRITISH ISLES ENHANCE PRESTIGE CAUSE BAHa'U'LLaH HEIGHTEN ADMIRATION INCREASE DEBT GRAt.i.tUDE HIS FOLLOWERS OWE VALIANT BRITISH COMMUNITY PRAYING CONTINUALLY SAFETY INCREASING SUCCESS.

SHOGHI RABBaNi

Letter of 18 July 1941

18 July 1941

Dear Baha'i co-worker,

The Guardian has instructed me to answer your letter to him of May 6th, and to acknowledge the receipt of the minutes of the N.S.A. meetings held on April 25th and 27th.

He was very happy to receive your letter, and his heart rejoiced at the good news which it conveyed. The holding of a successful Baha'i Convention during days of such stress and strain as the English believers are pa.s.sing through, he considers as a triumph of the spirit of their faith in Baha'u'llah. They are increasingly demonstrating their right to be called champions of the Cause of G.o.d, and manifesting their ability to follow in the footsteps of the early heroes of their religion. The Guardian feels truly proud of them.

In accordance with the request you made in connection with the generous proposal of ..., Shoghi Effendi cabled your a.s.sembly his approval of their plan for establis.h.i.+ng a building fund for a future Baha'i property to be built in.... He feels that this demonstrates a most notable donation to the Cause of G.o.d on their parts, and wishes you to convey to them both the expression of his profound grat.i.tude for this service they are rendering the Faith in England.

These evidences of growth, in spite of the universal destruction that is holding the planet in its grip at the present time, should greatly hearten the believers. They bear witness to the future harvests which their increasing labours are sure to reap, and demonstrate the great and G.o.d-given strength which flows and will flow ever more abundantly from the springs which Baha'u'llah has unsealed in these days.

Shoghi Effendi a.s.sures you all of his unceasing prayers on your behalf, that G.o.d may strengthen, bless, and guide you in your great work for His Faith.

He wishes you to please convey his love to all the British believers and to a.s.sure them of his prayers for their protection and for the triumph of their labours....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and prized co-workers,

I am thrilled by the recent evidences of the n.o.ble determination of the English believers to extend the range of their activities in these days of grave danger and widespread and ever deepening anxiety and stress. The report of your Convention sessions, of your teaching activities and of your Baha'i publications, and other administrative undertakings, enhances my admiration and deepens my grat.i.tude for the historic work you are achieving in these days. This feeling is shared by all those of your co-workers, both in the East and the West, who follow the progress of your work despite the formidable obstacles in your path. We all pray for your safety, for the realisation of all your hopes, and the fulfilment of the plans you have so boldly conceived and are so energetically carrying out.

Your true brother, Shoghi 1941 (Summer School) OVERJOYED SUCCESS ATTENDING EVER EXPANDING INSt.i.tUTIONS FAITH. CONTINUALLY SUPPLICATING UNFAILING PROTECTION EVER-INCREASING BLESSINGS ETERNAL GRAt.i.tUDE.

SHOGHI RABBaNi