Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 8 SEPTEMBER 1934 (SUMMER SCHOOL)

8 September 1934 (Summer School)

Dear Friends and co-workers,

On behalf of the Guardian I wish to thank you for your deeply-appreciated message of August 11th which conveyed the gratifying news of the successful conclusion of the meetings and cla.s.ses held at the annual Baha'i summer school at Esslingen. He was deeply impressed by the large number of the believers who have attended these gatherings, and particularly by the fact that they were representative of so many different communities both in Germany and abroad. It is his deeply-cherished and long-wished hope that these annual meetings will in the next few years develop into an important center for the teaching and training of Baha'i teachers, and that through them the knowledge of the Cause will gain an increasing ground throughout Germany and in the neighbouring countries and regions. He would urge each and every one of you to make an effort to attend as regularly and as whole-heartedly as you can the future cla.s.ses and meetings at Esslingen, and to advise your friends to do the same, so that through the collective and continued labours of you all these annual gatherings may develop both in their scope and in their influence.

The Guardian is ardently supplicating on behalf of you all, and is praying that Baha'u'llah may continue to bless, enrich and widen the scope of your labours for the promotion and consolidation of the Faith in your respective communities. With his warmest greetings to you all...

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly-beloved co-workers:

Your message, which I regard as a compelling evidence of the regenerative power and irresistible march of the Cause of G.o.d has brought immense joy to my heart. The convocation of such a representative gathering at such a historic spot, and on the morrow of the unprecedented trials which, through the mysterious dispensations of Providence have so severely afflicted the German believers, is indeed a historic event that every well-wisher of the Cause should heartily and joyously welcome. A splendid beginning has been made. I pray that as a result of the unshakable faith and the persistent endeavours of the German believers this inst.i.tution may grow in effectiveness and scope and lend a mighty impetus to the spread of the Cause in your promising country.

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 25 SEPTEMBER 1934

25 September 1934

Dear Dr. Muhlschlegel,

I am directed by the Guardian to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated August 29th, and to express his appreciation of your highly-valued efforts for the translation of the "Kitab-i-'Ahd" into German. He hopes that copies of this precious tablet will soon be made available to all the friends, and that through its study their knowledge of the Teachings will be deepened, and their zeal for their spread stimulated and sustained.

The term "afnan" means literally small branch, and refers to the relatives of the Bab, both men and women. As the Bab's only son died while in infancy, the former had no direct descendants. The "afnan" are, therefore, all indirectly related to the Bab.

As to "a_gh_san", it also means branch. But it is a bigger branch than "afnan". It refers to Baha'u'llah's descendants.

The "Kitab-i-'Ahd" is, as you know, Baha'u'llah's "Book of Covenant". It is entirely written in His own handwriting. And in the light of the objections raised by some of the believers concerning the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha, it is highly significant to note that this Book of Covenant of Baha'u'llah bears neither signature, nor seal, nor any date. It was shown to the believers, and was read in their presence nine days after Baha'u'llah's ascension. The ma.n.u.script was in the possession of 'Abdu'l-Baha all through His ministry, and after His pa.s.sing it was found enclosed in His own will. These two precious doc.u.ments, namely the book of Covenant of Baha'u'llah and the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha have both been carefully preserved and are now in the possession of the Guardian....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker:

I greatly value these fresh evidences of your continued, your intelligent and most helpful labours for a better understanding and a wider diffusion of the essentials and fundamentals of our beloved Faith.

You are indeed a pillar of the Administrative Order, which, despite the storms and tests of recent years, is rearing its head in the heart of your beloved and promising country. Persevere, be happy and confident. I will continue to pray for you from the depths of my heart.

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 3 NOVEMBER 1934

3 November 1934

Dear Dr. Muhlschlegel,

The Guardian has received and deeply appreciated your message dated October 8th, and he has directed me to thank you for it.

He is, indeed, gratified to learn of your projected visit to the Holy Land, and wishes me to hasten in extending to Mrs. Muhlschlegel and yourself a most hearty welcome.

It is his sincere and much-cherished hope that this pilgrimage will, in addition to its manifold spiritual blessings, give you a full opportunity to discuss with him in detail about the conditions of the Cause in Germany, and particularly as to the ways and means whereby the friends can best extend and consolidate the foundations of the Administration throughout that country. You will be welcome anytime in February or March-which time seems to be the best for visiting Palestine.

With the renewed a.s.surance of Shoghi Effendi's best wishes and of his prayers on your behalf, and with his hearty greetings to you and family,...

[From the Guardian:]

With the renewed a.s.surance of my love, my admiration and prayers for you and extending to you both a warm welcome,

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 5 NOVEMBER 1934

5 November 1934

Dear Baha'i Friends,

Your message of October 20th addressed to the Guardian is just at hand. He has read it with deep interest, and was profoundly touched by the expressions of love and devotion which it contained. He wishes me to thank you for it, and to reciprocate, fully and to each and every one of you, the warm greetings and good wishes which you have been moved to extend to him on the occasion to the celebration of the birthday of the Bab.

He wishes me also to take this opportunity for conveying to you all his deepfelt appreciation of your labours for the study and the spread of the Cause in Esslingen. He hopes and prays that your community may, in the years to come, play an increasingly vital role in promoting the Message throughout Germany, and particularly in strengthening the foundations of the Administration in that land. Your centre is one of the oldest and best we have in Germany, and has tremendous possibilities. You should, therefore, feel confident and to strenuously toil, so that your community may develop both in number, in strength and in influence.

With the renewed a.s.surance of the Guardian's best wishes and of his supplications on behalf of you all,...

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly-beloved co-workers: