High Endeavours: Messages to Alaska Part 4

(13) August 5, 1953

Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Anchorage

Dear Baha'i Friends:

The Beloved Guardian has asked me to write the Friends of Alaska on his behalf, and explain to them that he is following very closely their activities in Alaska.

He attaches the very greatest importance to the services which are being rendered by the Baha'is in that land.

The future of Alaska is so important that he has set as one of the goals of the Ten Year Crusade, the establishment of a National Spiritual a.s.sembly in Alaska, notwithstanding its present or future political relations.h.i.+p with the United States.

This great gift which has come to Alaska likewise calls for great sacrifice and service. The Guardian feels the Baha'is of Alaska fully realize the heavy responsibilities devolving upon them and will arise with a superhuman effort to spread the Faith throughout the length and breadth of the country. He will welcome advice of the opening up of new cities and centers throughout Alaska, which will lay the foundation stones on which the future National a.s.sembly can be built. The only way this can be done is for the Friends to "scatter" as the Master foretold, and settle in new cities, areas, etc.

A copy of this letter is being sent to the American National Spiritual a.s.sembly, so that they might a.s.sist the friends of Alaska to fulfill their spiritual mission and help their country attain its spiritual destiny.

Please send a copy of this appeal of the Guardian to each Believer in Alaska.

The Beloved Guardian sends his loving greetings to each and every one of the Baha'is in Alaska. He a.s.sures you of his prayers at the Holy Shrine in your behalf, that every obstacle may be removed from your paths, as you prosecute this sacred mission.

Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas a.s.sistant Secretary

(14) August 5, 1953

(14) August 5, 1953

Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Anchorage

Dear Baha'i Friends:

The beloved Guardian has asked me to write you on his behalf, concerning settlement in Kotzebue, in the Arctic Circle.

He has learned that one of the Baha'is of Anchorage, or Alaska, has gone or is going soon to Kotzebue, and he wishes full information in connection therewith. He would like to know who the pioneer is, when he settled, or if not settled, when he will do so.

The Guardian attaches the greatest importance to this project, and he asks that your a.s.sembly a.s.sist the pioneer in every way possible.

The Guardian asks that you give his love to the pioneer either in or enroute to Kotzebue, and a.s.sure him, the Guardian will pray for him; that the Divine Confirmations may be with him, that every obstacle may be removed from his path, and that he will achieve new victories for our Glorious Faith.

Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas a.s.sistant Secretary

(15) November 23, 1953

(15) November 23, 1953

Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Anchorage

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letter of September 3rd has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

The Baha'is of Alaska have always proved themselves full of initiative and devotion; and he feels sure that they will successfully accomplish their goal of having an independent National a.s.sembly before the end of the ten years.

He feels that if Mrs. Wells can go to Kotzebue next Spring, it would be excellent. The ideal of course is for the friends to obtain work before they go to new places, if at all possible, and in this way not deplete their resources or be a burden on the Fund.

The Guardian was also very happy to hear that the Caldwells are still in the Aleutian chain, as he attaches the greatest importance to this very difficult post. He urges your a.s.sembly to give them all the encouragement you can, and to impress upon them the importance of remaining there.

You may be sure he will pray for the progress of your work in the holy Shrines; and no doubt the National a.s.sembly will give you every a.s.sistance it can. As you know, it has heavy demands made upon it at present, in order to get the pioneers out to their posts; and the consolidation work will undoubtedly be taken up later on.

With warmest Baha'i greetings to you all, R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you, aid you to promote continually the vital interests of His Faith, and win great victories in its service.

Your true brother, Shoghi

(16) March 18, 1954

(16) March 18, 1954

Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Anchorage

Dear Baha'i Friends:

The beloved Guardian is following very closely the activities in connection with the Ten-Year Crusade throughout the entire Baha'i world.

He has been encouraged by the reports reaching him from all centers.

The Guardian is happy over the development of the Faith in Alaska.

Inasmuch as one of the very important goals of the Ten Year Crusade is the establishment of a National Spiritual a.s.sembly for Alaska, the Guardian is hopeful that the friends will very seriously undertake the establishment of the Faith in the important cities, and the development of as many a.s.semblies as possible. This can be accomplished best, of course, by "scattering" from the larger communities, and in settling in new areas.

The beloved Guardian was greatly encouraged to learn through a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell addressed to me, that at the Alaska State Convention on December 6th, a fund was started for the Haziratu'l-Quds. The Guardian attaches great importance to the development of the Haziratu'l-Quds even before there are prospects for the establishment of the National a.s.sembly.

The Guardian is arranging for a gift to this fund of $500 as his personal contribution. It will be sent you by the Treasurer of the American N.S.A.

He hopes this will stimulate the friends to contribute to this important fund, as time goes on.

The beloved Guardian sends his loving greetings to all the friends in Alaska.

Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas Secretary-General International Baha'i Council