Your message cheered my heart, and I wish to a.s.sure you that I greatly value your n.o.ble sentiments, and will supplicate the Beloved to bless your efforts, guide every step you take in the path of service, enable you to extend continually the range of your activities, and consolidate the work you have so splendidly inaugurated, and are so devotedly prosecuting in the service of this glorious Faith,

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

Letter of 27 October 1950

27 October 1950

The Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Oxford

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letter of September 14 with enclosure was received, and the beloved Guardian thanks you for it.

He was pleased to see the enterprising spirit shown by Mr. Semple, and hopes his cla.s.ses will produce many new contacts.

The progress made in Oxford is heartening, and he trusts still greater progress lies ahead.

With loving Baha'i greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty abundantly reward you for your patient and splendid labours, sustain and guide you at all times and under all circ.u.mstances, enable you to extend the range of your meritorious activities, and aid you to consolidate your notable and indeed historic achievements,

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

Letter of 25 December 1951

25 December 1951

Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Oxford

Dear Friends:

Your letter of December 14th has been received; and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was very pleased to hear of the progress being made; and that it has been possible to give the Message to some of the "undergrads". It is most important that the Faith should be conveyed with a sense of dignity at so important a university as Oxford; and better that the work should go forward slowly than that any mistakes should be made.

He a.s.sures you all that he deeply appreciates your devoted labours; and he hopes that you will fulfill your objective of increasing the number of believers there.

With warm Baha'i greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved, whose Cause you are serving with such fidelity, ability and devotion, reward you abundantly for your meritorious labours, guide every step you take, and enable you to lay a firm and una.s.sailable foundation for the future inst.i.tutions of His Faith in that historic and promising City.

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

Letter of 25 December 1952

25 December 1952

The Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Oxford

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letter of December 10th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was very happy to see that you have held another meeting in Manchester College, and hopes that the attracted ones who attended may become real students of the Faith, and eventually join its ranks.

The poem by Miss Masefield was much appreciated by the Guardian. Please a.s.sure Miss Masefield that he liked it very much, and will consider using it for a future volume of "Baha'i World". The only thing that he saw that seemed to need correction was that the word "Abha", was spelled "Abba"

instead of "Abha".

He hopes that Miss Masefield, through the friendship and wise a.s.sociation of the members of your Group with her, will feel moved to declare herself an active member of the Faith. He will pray that this may come about.

The Guardian will also pray for the success of the devoted labours of the believers in Oxford.

With warm Baha'i love,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty guide and sustain you always, remove all obstacles from your path, and enable you to win great and memorable victories in the service of His Faith,

Your true brother, Shoghi

Letter of 1 February 1954

1 February 1954

The Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Oxford

Dear Baha'i Friends: