High Endeavours: Messages to Alaska.

by Shoghi Effendi.

EXCERPTS FROM TABLETS OF THE DIVINE PLAN

"I desire for you eternal success and prosperity and beg perfect..."

To the a.s.semblies and Meetings of the believers of G.o.d and the maidservants of the Merciful in the United States and Canada.

Upon them be Baha'u'llah El' Abha

He is G.o.d!

O ye blessed souls:

I desire for you eternal success and prosperity and beg perfect confirmation for each one in the divine world. My hope for you is that each one may shine forth like unto the morning star from the horizon of the world and in this garden of G.o.d become a blessed tree, producing everlasting fruits and results.

Therefore I direct you to that which is conducive to your heavenly confirmation and illumination in the Kingdom of G.o.d!

It is this: Alaska is a vast country; although one of the maidservants of the Merciful has hastened to those parts, serving as a librarian in the Public Library, and according to her ability is not failing in teaching the Cause, yet the call of the Kingdom of G.o.d is not yet raised through that s.p.a.cious territory.

His Holiness Christ says: Travel ye to the East and to the West of the world and summon the people to the Kingdom of G.o.d. Hence the mercy of G.o.d must encompa.s.s all humanity. Therefore do ye not think it permissible to leave that region deprived of the breezes of the Morn of Guidance.

Consequently, strive as far as ye are able to send to those parts fluent speakers, who are detached from aught else save G.o.d, attracted with the fragrances of G.o.d, and sanctified and purified from all desires and temptations. Their sustenance and food must consist of the teachings of G.o.d. First they must themselves live in accordance with those principles, then guide the people. Perchance, G.o.d willing, the lights of the most great guidance may illumine that country and the breezes of the rose garden of the love of G.o.d may perfume the nostrils of the inhabitants of Alaska. Should ye become confirmed in thus rendering such a service, rest ye a.s.sured that ye shall crown your heads with the diadem of everlasting sovereignty and at the threshold of oneness you will become the favored and accepted servants.

SUPPLICATION

O Thou Incomparable G.o.d! O Thou Lord of the Kingdom! These souls are Thy heavenly army. a.s.sist them and with the cohorts of the Supreme Concourse, make them victorious; so that each one of them may become like unto a regiment and conquer these countries through the love of G.o.d and the illumination of divine teachings.

O G.o.d! Be Thou their supporter and their helper, and in the wilderness, the mountain, the valley, the forests, the prairies and the seas, be Thou their confidant-so that they may cry out through the power of the Kingdom and the breath of the Holy Spirit!

Verily Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty and the Omnipotent and Thou art the Wise, the Hearing, and the Seeing.

-'Abdu'l-Baha (April 8, 1916)

PART I

Letters to Individuals, 19391943. These were written prior to the formation of the first Local Spiritual a.s.sembly and reflect the early development of the Faith in Alaska.

(1) March 12, 1939

(1) March 12, 1939(1)

Dear Baha'i Friend,

The Guardian has received your most welcome and inspiring message of the 19th February, and is inexpressibly delighted to know that you have spontaneously offered your services for pioneer teaching in Alaska.(2) He can well imagine the feelings of immeasurable satisfaction and unbounded grat.i.tude with which both the N.S.A. and the National Teaching Committee must have welcomed your determination to teach and establish the Faith in that far-off and hitherto unexplored territory, and he wishes me to express also his own appreciation and grat.i.tude for this remarkable step which you have, notwithstanding the well-nigh insuperable obstacles in your way, been inspired to take to carry the Message to that distant land.

The spirit of heroic self-sacrifice, and of unflinching resolve that has prompted you to undertake so n.o.ble and sacred a mission, and make such a warm and immediate response to his recent teaching call addressed to the American believers cannot but fill all hearts with admiration and praise, and evoke the memory of those acts of unrivalled heroism, of selfless and unstinted devotion that have characterized the lives of the immortal heroes of the Apostolic age of our beloved Faith.

Though labouring in an age and under circ.u.mstances wholly different from those in which those early pioneers of the Cause have been privileged to labour, yet it is that selfsame spirit of entire self-forgetfulness, of whole-hearted and unwavering loyalty, and of absolute consecration that is now, in this Formative period, inspiring you, and all our dear American Baha'i pioneers, to forsake their all and undergo such privations and suffering in order to speed up and ensure the triumph of the Cause of G.o.d.

Rest a.s.sured that the Guardian will incessantly and most fervently supplicate on your behalf, that the invisible hosts of the Kingdom may continually reinforce and guide your efforts, and enable you to attain this a.s.suredly high and n.o.ble goal you have set yourself to attain in service to Baha'u'llah and His Cause.

In the hope that this letter will find you well, happy and well on the way of the realization of your plans, and with most cordial greetings,

Yours ever in His Service, H. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and prized co-worker:

I am thrilled by the news you give me. How proud I feel of the spirit that so powerfully animates you. My prayers will, I a.s.sure you, accompany you on your great and historic adventure. Persevere no matter how great the obstacles in your way. Future generations will glorify your deed and emulate your example. The Concourse on high acclaims your resolve and will richly bless your endeavours. Be happy and confident.

Your true brother, Shoghi

(2) February 12th, 1940

(2) February 12th, 1940

Dear Baha'i Sister,

The Guardian has received your most welcome message of December 31st, and feels truly delighted to know of your recent confirmation in the Faith, and of the pioneer work you are now undertaking in Alaska,(3) in collaboration with our beloved sister Miss Honor Kempton.

He is indeed grateful to you for having offered to teach and establish the Cause in that far off land, and feels confident that through the promised confirmations of Baha'u'llah and your own persistent efforts you will eventually succeed in completely attaining your goal.

The various measures you have already taken with the view of giving widespread publicity to the Teachings have been noted with deep interest and appreciation by the Guardian who indeed trusts that they will result in attracting to the Cause people of capacity and understanding.

He would urge you and also dear Miss Kempton to persevere, and through your joint exertions endeavour to pave the way for the formation of a local a.s.sembly in Alaska. Rest a.s.sured his prayers will be specially offered on behalf of you both, that you may receive ever-increasing strength, capacity and guidance to carry out your high teaching mission to complete success.

With the renewed expression of his abiding grat.i.tude for your devoted services, and with loving greetings,