LETTER OF 12 JULY 1946(18)

12 July 1946

Dear Baha'i Brother and Baha'i Friends:

The Post Card you sent our beloved Guardian on June 3rd reached him, and he was very happy to receive news from you direct and from your dear family and all the Baha'i friends who were gathered together with you on that day in Neckargemund.

He hopes you (Dr. Grossmann) received the long letter he forwarded to you (in answer to yours) through Mr. Holley?

The news of the devotion, enthusiasm, and renewed activity of the dear German Baha'is is a source of joy to him, and he hopes that the N.S.A. is able to meet often and conduct the affairs of the Faith in that country, where for so long it was banned and persecuted.

You may be sure his loving prayers are often offered on your behalf, for the success of your labours to promote the Faith, and for your protection and welfare...

P.S. The Guardian is very anxious to receive reports of the work of the N.S.A. He considers it advisable that during the course of this year any groups which attain nine members should be allowed to form an a.s.sembly at once without waiting until April 21st. in order to encourage the friends after so many years of suppression and suffering.

[From the Guardian:]

May the Spirit of Baha'u'llah sustain, guide and bless you in your truly exemplary and meritorious services, aid you to overcome all obstacles in your path, to extend the range of your activities, to proclaim the truths of this glorious Faith to the suffering ma.s.ses, and to multiply and consolidate its G.o.d-given inst.i.tutions,

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 25 JULY 1946(19)

25 July 1946

He was delighted at the good news you conveyed to him; for some time now he has been anxiously awaiting news of the activities of the N.S.A.-if it is feasible, please send him reports of that body.

He feels that, in view of all the German believers have pa.s.sed through, their long period of persecution and suppression, that it is all right during this year to permit the formation of local a.s.semblies, as soon as 9 or more believers are available, in order to encourage the friends and stimulate their work in the teaching field.

LETTER OF 29 JULY 1946

29 July 1946

He feels that the subject of the Baha'i work in Esperanto in Germany is a matter for you to take up with the National Spiritual a.s.sembly; we Baha'is do not claim Esperanto will be the auxiliary language of the future-but, as we firmly believe in the necessity of an auxiliary language we are glad to support this work by publishing books in Esperanto and encouraging the Baha'is to learn it, if they wish to. Cooperation with this society is an excellent means of spreading the Cause, as Martha Root demonstrated in her travels. However, all details in this matter must be decided by the N.S.A.

You can contact Baha'i Esperantists in England and the U.S.A. through their respective N.S.As.

LETTER OF 30 JULY 1946(20)

30 July 1946

He was so very happy to hear the wonderful news you conveyed of the receptivity you find among the German people, and especially the youth, to the Teachings.

He considers the work of the Cause in Germany of primary importance; the German believers not only have the fertile field of their own people's minds to cultivate, but must, eventually, do a large part of the teaching work to be carried out in the future in Central and Eastern Europe. So he is very anxious to have your affairs running on a smooth administrative basis, and to also have you receive the necessary literature or means of printing it.

He was also delighted to hear the Sun of Truth is again being printed, and that you have been able, in spite of so many handicaps, to distribute thousands of pamphlets and hold so many important public meetings.

Now is certainly the time to carry on the work on an ever-increasing scale; the hearts have suffered much, and the minds are grasping for a solution to the terrible problems facing them. The Cause can surely, in this golden hour of opportunity, make greater headway than ever before in its history in Europe, and you may be sure he will do all in his power to a.s.sist you in your labours.

He a.s.sures you his loving and ardent prayers will be offered on your behalf and for the success of the work you and the other friends are carrying on at present...

P.S. The Guardian was very pleased to hear that the former adherents of Ruth White and Mr. Herrigel's ideas have expressed the desire to be enrolled in the Faith, and to work according to the administrative Order.

He recommends that the National a.s.sembly, by all means, accept them, and a.s.sist them to fully grasp the fundamentals of the Will and Testament.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker,

I am so glad and grateful to learn of the progress of your activities and of the success attending your efforts in the service of our beloved Faith.

I feel confident that you will, in the days to come, add fresh laurels to the crown you have already won in the service of our beloved Faith.

Persevere, and rest a.s.sured that I will continue to pray for you from the depths of my heart.

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 29 DECEMBER 1946

29 December 1946

The sufferings which the German Baha'is have pa.s.sed through have grieved his heart very much-but he is very proud of their loyal and devoted spirit, and the way their faith in Baha'u'llah has come out of the fire of these war years pure and unstained and stronger than ever! They have a great future, promised them by the beloved Master...

As you may perhaps have heard, our Guardian does not like to give pictures of himself to the believers-he prefers that they should keep in their homes photographs of the Master Who is our inspiration and Exemplar.

He hopes very much that you will be able to teach other young Germans the Cause there. The youth in particular need desperately to be given the Message, for it is their lives that have suffered the greatest ruin through this cruel war. Teaching them should be your first duty...