He a.s.sures you one and all that he remembers you most lovingly in his prayers in the holy Shrine, and supplicates for the removal of every obstacle in your path and the attainment of all your goals....

P.S. The Guardian wishes particularly to thank you all for your loving message to him on the occasion of Ridvan, which he appreciated receiving very much. He a.s.sures you all that he prays that great victories may attend your efforts to spread the Faith and consolidate its foundations.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

The steady extension and consolidation of the activities in which the members of the Baha'i communities in Germany and Austria are so devotedly, so unitedly and strenuously engaged, have greatly cheered my heart, heightened my admiration for them, and reinforced my hopes for the triumphant conclusion of their collective enterprises undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the Ten-Year Plan.

By virtue of the important position they occupy in the heart of the European continent; singled out for special favours by the Center of Baha'u'llah's Covenant among their sister communities in that same continent; distinguished through the appointment of two Hands of the Cause from among their members; entrusted with the tremendous and sacred responsibility of erecting the first Baha'i House of Worship on European soil; displaying, on the morrow of the ordeals which have for so long and so cruelly afflicted them, a virility, a courage, a fidelity worthy of emulation by their sister communities not only in neighbouring lands but throughout the Baha'i world, these twin communities, destined through their common language, racial characteristics and traditions to play a notable and distinct part in the world-wide progress of the Faith in both the European and Asiatic continents, must continue to forge ahead, with inflexible resolve, unshakable faith, undimmed vision, and unabated vigour, along the road leading them to the fulfilment of their high destiny.

The steady increase in the number of the adherents of the Faith in both countries and the multiplication of isolated centres, groups and local a.s.semblies is a task of primary importance to which they must direct special attention during the last year of the second phase of this world-embracing spiritual Crusade. Equally vital in sacredness and importance is the definite settlement of the issue that has arisen in connexion with the purchase of the site of the future Temple in the neighbourhood of Frankfurt, as well as the selection of its design, as essential preliminaries to the excavation of its foundations and the erection of its structure. Both of these require the concentrated and sustained attention of the elected representatives of these communities, whose task is to expedite this pre-eminent undertaking destined to exert a far-reaching spiritual influence on the fortunes of the Faith not only in Germany and Austria but throughout the European continent and even far beyond its borders.

Still another obligation that must under no circ.u.mstances be lost sight of or neglected is the incorporation of definitely established local a.s.semblies in these two adjoining countries, a process that will greatly consolidate the administrative foundations of the Faith and enhance its prestige in the European continent.

The adoption of special measures by these same elected national representatives, designed to hasten the emergence of an independent National Spiritual a.s.sembly in Austria, is yet another duty which calls for urgent and earnest consideration on their part and one which, if worthily performed, will lend a tremendous impetus to the progress of the Faith in a country occupying so central a position in Europe, so rich in its past history, and blessed by the footsteps of 'Abdu'l-Baha.

The splendid work accomplished by German pioneers in virgin territories in both the North and South of Europe, auguring well for the accomplishment of a similar mission in the Eastern territories forming part of their alloted task under the Ten-Year Plan, must be jealously safeguarded and continually reinforced, as it const.i.tutes a prelude to the victories that must needs be won, in the course of future Plans, on the eastern confines of that continent and even as far afield as the heart of Asia.

Nor must the establishment of the projected Baha'i Publishing Trust be delayed, as it const.i.tutes one of vital objectives of the Crusade on which the German Baha'i community has embarked.

No sacrifice can be deemed too great for the attainment of these shining goals and the winning of such precious prizes. The members of these closely knit communities must arise as never before, and brace themselves for a still greater output of energy, and a still more convincing display of those qualities that have distinguished their stewardship to the Faith of Baha'u'llah, and prepare to enter victoriously upon the third phase of the Ten-Year Plan during the concluding months of this current year.

The tragic sufferings afflicting their brethren in Baha'u'llah's native land, involving a setback in the projects of this persecuted community for the erection of its Mother Temple in ?ihran, must reinforce their resolve to speed the erection of a corresponding House of Worship in the heart of Europe. The efforts of their national elected representatives, strenuous as they have been in recent months, must be doubled, nay trebled, in order to offset, in this particular and most important field, the inevitable and deplorable delay in the accomplishment of so meritorious, so momentous and historic a task.

Unperturbed by the clamour of inveterate, powerful and malicious adversaries in the land of the birth of their Faith; undaunted by the opposition which exponents of religious orthodoxy are, to a lesser degree, now beginning to show in their own homeland, these same elected representatives, must press forward, resolutely, and confront and speedily surmount whatever obstacles now stand in their path.

Theirs is a responsibility which, at this historic and crucial stage in the evolution of their precious and beloved Faith, they can neither minimize nor neglect. Theirs is a G.o.d-sent opportunity to demonstrate, at this grave hour through which the overwhelming majority of their brethren are pa.s.sing, the incorruptible character of their faith, the indomitable spirit which animates them, the sublimity of the principles which motivate their action, providing thereby an abiding and sorely needed consolation to the victims of the brutal, the wide spread and repeated persecutions engulfing so many of their co-religionists in the cradle of their Faith.

That they may prove themselves worthy of their high calling; that they may set an inspiring example to their co-workers in both Hemispheres, through the number and quality of their accomplishments; that they may discharge, in their entirety, the manifold responsibilities a.s.sured under a Plan const.i.tuting so notable a stage in the accomplishment of the Glorious mission envisioned for them by 'Abdu'l-Baha, is the object of my unceasing prayers when supplicating at the threshold of His Shrine.

May His watchful, His sustaining and ever loving Spirit guide every step they take, bless every effort they exert, and fulfil every hope they cherish, in the pursuit of the victories they have resolutely set themselves to achieve.

Shoghi

LETTER OF 23 SEPTEMBER 1955

23 September 1955

Dear Baha'i Friends:

The beloved Guardian is very anxious indeed to have the latest word in connection with the purchase of the Templeland in Germany, and the development of the design for the Temple.

Can you write me by return mail, letting me know just what the status is of both these very important matters?

He is anxious that the work on the Temple be expedited in every way; as he is fearful if the work does not begin soon, it may be found impossible to complete the task within the Ten Year period.

If you will write me, giving full details, it will be greatly appreciated by him....

LETTER OF 23 SEPTEMBER 1955 (SUMMER SCHOOL)

23 September 1955 (Summer School)

Dear Baha'i Friends:

This is just a brief note to acknowledge, on behalf of the beloved Guardian, your letter of August 21st.

He often remembers the dear friends in that land in his loving prayers; and supplicates that they may receive the necessary strength and guidance to carry forward in a befitting manner their share in this particular phase of the World Spiritual Crusade....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless your continued and meritorious efforts and services, and enable you to extend continually the scope of your accomplishments,

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 30 SEPTEMBER 1955

30 September 1955

GUARDIAN RECEIVED ONE PACKAGE TEMPLE DRAWINGS ARE THESE ALL SUBMISSIONS OR ARE OTHERS ENROUTE LOVING GREETINGS....

LETTER OF 20 OCTOBER 1955

20 October 1955

YOUR CABLE OCTOBER 15 PRESUME DECISION TEMPLE DESIGN HAS NO BEARING ON COURT DECISION OCTOBER 26 IS THIS CORRECT? DO YOU HAVE ADVANCE INFORMATION AS TO WHAT DECISION WILL BE? GUARDIAN HAS MADE NO DECISION BUT SEEMS PREFER AZAMAT BY HOPFER STUTTGART. PLEASE CABLE PROPOSED HEIGHT AND WIDTH.

HAVE YOU ANY IDEA COST OF CONSTRUCTION....