Messages To Canada Part 7

The Canadian Baha'i Community, having recently entered the second phase of the World Spiritual Crusade so auspiciously launched by the followers of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, on the morrow of the hundredth anniversary of the birth of His prophetic Mission, may well pride itself on the quality as well as the number of achievements which, in both the teaching and administrative spheres of Baha'i activity, have distinguished its stewards.h.i.+p to His Cause ever since its emergence as an independent national ent.i.ty in the world-encompa.s.sing Baha'i Brotherhood. Its mission in foreign lands has been befittingly inaugurated in the course of the opening phase of this world-girdling Crusade. The expansion and consolidation of its activities on the homefront have kept pace with the progress of the work initiated by its pioneers beyond the borders of its homeland in both the Western Hemisphere and the Pacific Islands. It has, moreover, launched upon its twofold historic enterprise aiming at the acquisition of its new national administrative Headquarters and the purchase of the site of its future Temple. It has, in addition, been enriched through the donation and legal transfer of a House(35) uniquely a.s.sociated with 'Abdu'l-Baha's historic visit to the Dominion of Canada, and destined to be regarded as the foremost Baha'i shrine throughout that Dominion.

The years immediately ahead must witness an intensification of effort, on the part of all of its members, as well as its elected national representatives, which will at once safeguard the prizes won in distant fields, and lend a notable impetus to the consolidation of its administrative inst.i.tutions within its borders.

The selection of the site for the national Haziratu'l-Quds and for the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar in Canada must be made with the utmost care and prompt.i.tude. Measures must, without delay, be taken for the construction of the administrative Headquarters of its National a.s.sembly.

The process of multiplication of isolated centres, groups and a.s.semblies must gather momentum in the course of the current year. The incorporation of firmly established Local Spiritual a.s.semblies must simultaneously be accelerated in order to strengthen the structure of these newly established inst.i.tutions, and pave the way for the establishment of local Baha'i endowments. The one remaining virgin territory a.s.signed to it must be speedily opened, and every precaution taken to ensure its preservation in the future. Particular attention should be directed to Iceland and Greenland, as the two foremost objectives of this community in connection with the work of consolidation a.s.signed to its members. The meritorious effort exerted so devotedly and patiently by its national elected representatives for the purpose of obtaining official recognition by the Civil Authorities for the Baha'i Marriage Certificate should be pursued with the utmost diligence, vigilance and caution.

NEWLY-ESTABLISHED ISRAEL BRANCH OF NATIONAL a.s.sEMBLY

While the members of this valiant, this highly gifted, forward marching and deeply consecrated community, and particularly its alert and zealous national representatives, labour to attain these immediate goals, that const.i.tute the distinguis.h.i.+ng features and the prime objectives of this newly opened phase of the Crusade, the measures initiated recently in the Holy Land to transfer eventually part of the international Baha'i endowments on Mt. Carmel to the name of the newly-established Branch of the Canadian National Spiritual a.s.sembly will be steadily and energetically pursued, as a mark of abiding appreciation of the magnificence and exemplary achievements of this community in recent years in the service of the Cause of Baha'u'llah.

A community, whose founder(36) has conferred upon it such splendid benefits and whose dust now lies on the far-off sh.o.r.es of the South American continent; which has been exalted by reason of the eminent services which two other members(37), (38) of her family have rendered, in the Holy Land, to the World Baha'i Community; which can, moreover boast of the enduring and historic achievements of yet another Hand of the Cause(39)-the third nominated from the ranks of its members; and which, in the course of the past year, has set a further example of steadfastness and devotion through the action of outstanding members(40) of its National a.s.sembly who have forsaken their homes to settle in the African continent-such a community can well a.s.sert its capacity and determination to consummate, within the allotted time, the laborious and mighty task it has risen to shoulder.

The rapidity of its expansion, its sound development, the steadiness, the single-mindedness, the tenacity, the enthusiasm, the unity and staunchness of its members, augur well for the remarkable material and spiritual progress which the nation to which it belongs must achieve in the years to come, in accordance with the explicit promise enshrined in the Tablets of the Divine Plan by the Centre of Baha'u'llah's Covenant.

May this community march forward on its destined path with renewed vigour, with undimmed vision, with complete unity, with utter consecration, and be enabled to play an important part in the execution of the great tasks ahead, and worthily contribute to the prodigious efforts now being collectively exerted by the followers of the Most Great Name, in every continent of the globe, for the world-wide establishment and ultimate triumph of a long-persecuted, divinely impelled, world-redeeming Faith.

Your true brother, SHOGHI.

Letter of September 5, 1954

Haifa, Israel, September 5, 1954.

National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Canada

Your loving letter of August 3rd came duly to hand, and the questions which you have raised were presented to our beloved Guardian.

VIRGIN TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATIVELY SEPARATE

About a year ago, there was some correspondence with your a.s.sembly with regard to the Baha'is who are in the virgin territories of the Ten Year Crusade, etc.

The Guardian renews the advice given at that time, that all pioneers in virgin areas, or new Baha'is who are confirmed in those virgin areas, are not part of the National Baha'i Community, and cannot vote in elections.

The virgin areas are separate, administratively, and under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual a.s.sembly responsible for their development. The same ruling applies to any a.s.semblies which might develop in these virgin areas. They do not become part of the National Baha'i Community.

The Guardian was distressed to learn of the problems which arose concerning the election of the Spiritual a.s.sembly of .... However, the ruling is quite definite, that an a.s.sembly must be elected on the first day of Ridvan, April 21st. Regretful as it is, ... must now be considered a Group, until the elections which take place April 21st, 1955.

The beloved Guardian a.s.sures you all of his prayers in your behalf. He sends you his loving greetings.

Faithfully yours, LEROY IOAS, a.s.sistant Secretary.

Letter of December 4, 1954

Haifa, Israel, December 4, 1954.

LAND t.i.tLE TRANSFERRED TO ISRAEL BRANCH

National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Canada.

The beloved Guardian has directed me to write you in connection with a recent communication you submitted to him, in which you stated that you were pleased to note that the Israel Branch of the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Canada was to be established, and land on Mount Carmel registered in your name.

In the Guardian's Ridvan Message of April, 1954, you will note he has advised that the Israel Branch of the Baha'is of Canada was formed. The actual date of the formation was November 20, 1953.

The land of Mount Carmel, which the Guardian had instructed be registered in the name of the Israel Branch of the Canadian a.s.sembly was transferred to the t.i.tle of the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Canada, Israel Branch, on October 1, 1954.

I am attaching hereto, for preservation in your files, the t.i.tle deed covering this particular piece of land, which is Parcel No. 304, Block 10811, Mount Carmel, Haifa.

With loving Baha'i greetings, I am

Faithfully yours, LEROY IOAS, a.s.sistant Secretary.

Letter of March 3, 1955

Haifa, Israel, March 3, 1955.

DEPRIVATION OF VOTING RIGHTS

National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Canada.

Our beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you on his behalf and bring to your attention a certain matter.

He has heard from a number of sources that some of the Canadian believers have been deprived of their voting rights; and he feels that all National Spiritual a.s.semblies should bear in mind that this is the heaviest sanction we possess at present in the Faith, short of excommunication, which lies within the powers of the Guardian alone; and is consequently a very weighty weapon to wield.

He considers that under no circ.u.mstances should any Baha'i ever be suspended from the voting list and deprived of his administrative privileges for a matter which is not of the utmost gravity. By that he means breaking of laws, such as the consent of parents to marriage etc., or acts of such an immoral character as to damage the good name of the Faith.

He has informed, some years ago, the American National Spiritual a.s.sembly that, before anyone is deprived of their voting rights, they should be consulted with and lovingly admonished at first, given repeated warnings if they do not mend their immoral ways, or whatever other extremely serious misdemeanor they are committing, and finally, after these repeated warnings, be deprived of their voting rights.

He feels that a great many problems within the communities would be solved if the believers would more constructively devote their attention to the teaching work and carrying out the provisions of the Ten Year Plan as they affect Canada. The leaders.h.i.+p of your a.s.sembly in these matters will no doubt be of great help and inspiration to the friends; and he on his part will reinforce you with his prayers.

With warm Baha'i love, R. RABBANI.

Letter of July 16, 1955