Letter of 15 December 195515 December 1955Dear Bahá’í Friends:The beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you in connection with the purchase of two endowments for the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria.As you know, the Hand of the Cause, Mrs. Amelia E. Collins, has contributed one thousand dollars for the purchase of each of these endowments.The Guardian feels that 2 small pieces of land costing about one thousand American Dollars each is sufficient to accomplish these two goals of the Ten Year Crusade. He hopes therefore your Assembly will proceed at once to purchase a small piece of land in Germany and also one in Austria.Will you please let me know in due course what your Assembly will do to accomplish this most important task?...Letter of 15 December 195515 December 1955Dear Bahá’í Friends:...The Guardian is quite anxious that the question of the Temple land and the Temple design be concluded at a very early date, as time is passing very rapidly. He has asked me to meet with your Assembly, if the Assembly does meet during my visit in Europe, or can meet. I could arrange to be in Germany early in January....Letter of 20 December 195520 December 1955Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your loving letter of December 8th was received and immediately presented to our Beloved Guardian:He directed me to cable you yesterday, which I did, as follows:“Guardian approves your asking other National Assemblies write Court. Suggests you write them direct giving full particulars. Does not feel exhibit appropriate until final Temple design approved. Writing.”The Guardian fully approved of your asking the various National Assemblies to write the Court, with regard to the World Importance of the Temple. He felt you should write them direct, giving them full particulars as to what you wish in the letters, to whom to be addressed, and any other pertinent data required. He hopes this will be helpful in working out this important matter.The Guardian felt it would be inadvisable to have an exhibit of proposals for the Temple, until such time as the final plan is approved. Thus you should hold the exhibit in abeyance until later. I am having sent you by separate mail, the designs, photographs, etc. which you sent to the Guardian.The Guardian assures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends you his loving Greetings....Letter of 3 February 19563 February 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write to your Assembly explaining his view that now that the National Hazírá has been established and is well able to take care of the national office of the National Assembly; that the office of the Secretary of the National Assembly should be established there as soon as convenient.From the Hazírá, all the national administrative activities should emanate, and this cannot be done unless the National Secretary’s office is established there. He requests your Assembly study the matter and see if it cannot soon work out some plan whereby the National Secretary’s office can permanently be established in Frankfurt in the National Hazírá.The Guardian assures the members of the Assembly of his prayers in their behalf. He sends you his loving Greetings....Letter of 20 March 195620 March 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:Thank you for your loving letter of March 10th, with regard to the translations into Russian.I hope the pamphlet which Mrs. Sommerau has prepared will soon be published, so that there will be literature available for this teaching work.The Guardian is extremely anxious of course for proper contacts to be made with the believers behind the Iron Curtain. However the utmost circumspection must be used; and certainly no one must enter into correspondence with them. I think you should inform ... that the Guardian is anxious for the closest contacts to be opened and maintained, but not through correspondence. Likewise when any Bahá’í goes behind the Iron Curtain and contacts the believers, it must be done very quietly and carefully.Do I understand from the letter that ... is intending to enter behind the Iron Curtain to visit the believers? This would be commendable if it can be done....Letter of 23 March 195623 March 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:The beloved Guardian was happy to receive your message of greeting dated February 19th, signed by all those present, and to see that it was possible for such a large number of the friends to attend this gathering.He hopes that this year, Number 113, the Year of Abhá of the sixth Vahíd in the Bahá’í calendar, will prove to be a truly “Most Luminous” one; and that, in spite of the ever-present difficulties which must constantly be met and surmounted, your National Assembly, reinforced in all its efforts by the entire body of the believers, may cause the Faith to forge ahead in those regions with yet greater momentum and power.He will remember you all in his loving prayers....[From the Guardian:]May the Almighty bless your efforts, guide every step you take, remove all obstacles from your path, and aid you to win great victories in the service of His glorious Faith,Your true brother,ShoghiLetter of 25 March 195625 March 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Referring to your loving letter of March 19th with regard to the designs for the Temple in Frankfurt:The designs of the second competition were duly received by the beloved Guardian. He is now giving them very active consideration. As soon as some decision is reached, I will be glad to communicate with you at once.The members of the International Council greatly appreciate your warm Naw-Rúz greetings, which they reciprocate most heartily. We will pray at the Shrines that every success will attend your efforts; and that the most important subject of the Temple grounds and Temple land will be satisfactorily settled in the very near future....Letter of 6 April 19566 April 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Enclosed is the beloved Guardian’s message to all Bahá’í Conventions. He would like you to please share it with the delegates and friends attending your National Convention.He hopes it will stimulate the teaching work, and particularly the pioneer work....Letter of 7 April 19567 April 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:Your loving letter of March 28th was duly received, carrying with it the strong spirit which animates the friends in Germany.The answers to the questions which you raised in your letter are as follows:The Guardian advises that he will leave to your discretion, just how the $1,000 which is available in America is to be used, in connection with the Endowment. In other words, you may purchase another piece of land for the $1,000; may apply it to repair of existing holdings, other than the Hazírá, such as the House in Esslingen—or put it in the Temple Fund.1. The goals of the Ten Year Crusade include the purchase of an endowment for Germany. By referring to page 72 of the British Statistical Book, issued at the beginning of the Ten Year Crusade, you will note, that Germany is listed as requiring an endowment. I think the Assembly should correspond with the American National Spiritual Assembly, so that the One Thousand Dollars which Mrs. Collins has made available may be sent to you.2. The beloved Guardian advises that he has ... on his list of those who wish to make the pilgrimage. As soon as it is possible for them to come, he will inform them. You might explain to these dear friends that there are a great many Persian Bahá’ís who wish to make the pilgrimage; and the Guardian feels he must invite them on the basis of the date of their application. In other words, those who asked for permission first would be the first to be invited to make the pilgrimage.3. I did not present to the Guardian the question of new Bahá’ís in Greece being allowed to remain in their church after they become Bahá’ís, because I knew there was no such situation existing. The Guardian does not wish to be asked to make rulings on situations which might develop. He has already enunciated very clearly the principle that when people become Bahá’ís, they should, if not immediately, then within a short time, leave the church. If there is any exception to be made to these rules, it would be on specific instances, and on specific application of a national assembly.When the pioneers in Greece have any individuals ready to become Bahá’ís, and then if the church question is a deterring factor, perhaps at that time your Assembly will wish to take the matter up with the Guardian. I am sure he would not want to issue a ruling on a possible future case.If this handling is not satisfactory to your Assembly, and you wish me to present the matter to the Guardian, in that event let me know and I will do so.4. I hope some arrangement is worked out to handle the publication of Russian literature. It will be of advantage at this time for local teaching and therefore what can—should certainly be prepared. I did inform Mrs. Sommerau that I would see that her pamphlet was financed, and I have had some correspondence with her and Marion Little concerning the matter. As developments occur, I will be glad to let you know....The Guardian sends his loving Greetings to the members of the N.S.A.Letter of 27 April 195627 April 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:The Beloved Guardian has been giving very serious consideration to the model for the Temple to be built in Frankfurt.He feels that the design No. 102-A, prepared by Architect Teuto Rocholl, is susceptible of development into the type of building which we wish.The Guardian asks that you consult with the architect, asking him to submit a few modifications of the plan, simply in a rough pencil sketch, incorporating the following adjustments:1. A third story should be provided without of course increasing the size of the building.2. The building must be 9-sided instead of round.3. A lantern should be placed on the top of the dome.4. The dome should be more gracefully shaped, with a little more peak to the top.5. It might be that some windows could be placed at the base of the dome, so as to give the impression of a clerestory.The architect himself may have some other modifications that may occur to him as he sets up plans.If you could have this matter handled as quickly as possible, the Guardian would be very appreciative. Time is running along very rapidly, and if an early start is not made on the building, it may be difficult to finish it during the Ten Year Plan.The Guardian sends you his loving greetings....Letter of 19 May 195619 May 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:Referring to your letter of May 5th, with regard to the model of the Temple. I cabled you May 14th, that the Guardian had not approved any design for the Temple. He simply felt that there was possibility of the design of Architect Rocholl, No. 102-A being developed into a suitable design. He has not been satisfied with the submissions, but when the revisions are sent by Mr. Rocholl, he will then reappraise all of them to see if any can be given further consideration.Please refer to my letter of November 23, 1955, item 6, in which it is stated the Guardian felt “the cost should run about $300,000 or a little more; certainly on the outside, not more than $400,000.” The Guardian has directed me to advise you, that he now feels the maximum which should be spent on the construction, is $300,000 and no more....Letter of 19 May 195619 May 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your loving letter of May 13th, has come to hand, and I am hastening to answer, particularly that portion dealing with the translations in Russian:Mrs. ... was raised in Russia; at least in the early part of her life. She fled with others during the Revolution. Thus her knowledge of Russian should be excellent.She has recently become a Bahá’í, in Lausanne.In Lausanne, another woman has become a Bahá’í, who is Russian, and is an excellent linguist. I understand in any translating now being done, she is being consulted.It is my thought that your Assembly should correspond with the Italo Swiss NSA, so as to set up some method of handling Russian translations and printing. As you know, ..., in Geneva, is Russian, and likewise a good translator. If your two NSA’s set up a General Translating Committee, I am sure great results would be achieved.I am sending Mrs. ..., some views of the Shrines and Gardens, which I hope will give her happiness....Letter of 19 May 195619 May 1956Dear Friends:The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you concerning the court case relating to the Temple Land near Eschborn.You have asked if the decision of the Court should be adverse, if you should appeal the case to a higher court.The Guardian feels that if the decision of the Court is adverse, then you should not appeal the case, but should at once look for another site for the Temple.Time is rapidly passing, and no further time should be lost in trying the case. You should find another piece of land, so work on the Temple may start. The Guardian is fearful, if there are further delays, either in the question of land, or the question of Model, the time will have so flown, that the Temple in Germany will not be built during the Ten Year Crusade.He assures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends his loving Greetings to all the members of the Assembly....Letter of 5 June 19565 June 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter of April 19th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He is very happy that Vienna now has its own Hazíratu’l-Quds, which will become the National Headquarters of the Austrian National Spiritual Assembly when formed.This important step forward is bound to reflect itself in the teaching work, and attract many new souls to the Faith.The establishment of the other Centers in Austria during the past year has been most encouraging, and he hopes that by Spring of next year there will be a number of flourishing Spiritual Assemblies.He will pray for you all and for the success of the work in Vienna....[From the Guardian:]May the Almighty, Whose Cause you serve so devotedly, reward you abundantly for your labours, remove all obstacles from your path, and enable you to win great victories in the days to come,Your true brother,ShoghiLetter of 8 June 19568 June 1956Dear Bahá’í Co-workers:The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you, in response to your recent letter to him, with regard to the modified Temple plans of Mr. Rocholl.As he understands the situation, your NSA is not pleased with the modified plans, and Mr. Rocholl says he will submit one or two others. The Guardian will await receipt of these further modifications, if it does not delay the matter too long.So far as a modification of Mr. Grund, he feels it would delay the project too long to wait for new plans from him; unless of course, he has them ready for sending now.In other words, the Guardian will await for a reasonable time, the receipt of further plans of Mr. Rocholl, before making final decision; and if by that time, any modifications have come from Mr. Grund, he will consider them; but he does not feel we can wait now, for an entire new development by Mr. Grund, unless he has it under way....Letter of 8 June 19568 June 1956Dear Bahá’í Co-workers:The Beloved Guardian, as you know, is very anxious to have the matter of the land for the Temple near Frankfurt decided as quickly as possible, and he is hoping the decision of the court will be favorably announced in the near future.Will you please cable me, just as soon as a decision is given, just what it is, so I may hand it to the Guardian at once....Letter of 21 June 195621 June 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letters of August 8 and 18, September 9, October 4, November 8, 9 and 13, one undated, received December 18, 1955; and January 27, one dated January, February 7, 24 and 28, April 21, May 5, and 31, with enclosures, and also material sent under separate cover have all been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He has been very encouraged during the last year over the increased activity on the part of the German Bahá’ís, as witnessed by the teaching conferences they have held at different times and in different places; and the growth of new Centers in Austria more or less as a direct outcome of the devoted pioneer efforts of members of the German Bahá’í Community. This fulfills a long-cherished wish of his, and was a source of great satisfaction. He hopes that the Groups in Graz, Innsbruck and Salzburg will attain Assembly status by next Ridván, thus giving the Austrian Community a much firmer foundation and preparing it for the day when it will have its independent National Assembly, a day which is not so very far off after all, and towards which they must work constantly, with ever increasing zeal and dedication.He was also very happy to hear that the Vienna Community has settled down in its Hazíratu’l-Quds, its future national headquarters building; and that this is not only a center for the Bahá’ís, but, what is even more important, a center for their teaching activities on a larger and more impressive scale in that city.As he already informed you before, he felt that the generous contribution of dear Mrs. Collins towards the purchase of a national endowment for Austria should be used for that purpose only, and not diverted to anything to do with the furnishing or embellishing of the Hazíratu’l-Quds.He hopes that the presence of a devoted American Bahá’í, Mrs. Edna Johnson Norvell in Austria will be of help to the friends. She is most eager to serve and assist them in every way she can.It has been recently a great pleasure for the Guardian to receive here as his guests four of the pioneers to Athens. This contact has been most welcome, and he feels that your Assembly can be proud of these fine young people, who are making every effort to achieve the goals set for the German Bahá’ís in Greece.He has also had the great pleasure of receiving here the first German Bahá’í since before the war; namely, Miss Weber, one of the pioneers to Crete.He hopes that the German Bahá’í Community will make every effort to send forth a greater number of pioneers to the countries which have been made their particular responsibility under the World Crusade, and also to reinforce the work in Austria. They must never forget that one of the first “pioneers”, before the days when that term was even in use, was dear Mr. Benke, who sacrificed his life in the service of the Faith with such an exemplary spirit of devotion that the Guardian felt impelled to call him the first European martyr for the Faith. This was a great distinction and blessing conferred on the German Bahá’ís, and should stimulate many others to follow in his footsteps.The Guardian is very sorry that there has been so much delay as regards the Temple in Frankfurt, both because of the difficulty of obtaining permission to build on the site chosen, and the difficulty in coming to a decision about the design.He feels that, as this is the Mother Temple of Europe, and an institution which will be supported by contributions from Bahá’ís all over the world, that it has a very great importance; and must under all circumstances be dignified, and not represent an extremist point of view in architecture. No one knows how the styles of the present day may be judged two or three generations from now; but the Bahá’ís cannot afford to build a second Temple if the one that they built at the present time should seem too extreme and unsuitable at a future date.In view of this, he has pondered very carefully over the designs which were submitted to him, and also consulted Mr. Remey. He hopes to come to a decision, and will inform your Assembly accordingly.He appreciated very much the cooperative spirit shown by many of the German architects and their offer to come here and consult with him. This would have been impractical, and a waste of the money of the Faith; but, if your Assembly has occasion, he would like it to please thank these gentlemen for their friendly and cooperative spirit as regards our Temple.He feels that the National Hazíratu’l-Quds in Frankfurt should act as the Secretariat of the National Assembly as well. This is the main reason why the Bahá’ís have National Headquarters—so that the office of the National Spiritual Assembly can operate from the National Assembly’s permanent address. It may not be convenient at times, but it is essential that this should be done. He has informed other national bodies of the same thing, that is, those who had not already placed their Secretariat in their Hazíratu’l-Quds.He feels that your Assembly should particularly concentrate at this time on accelerating the work on the home front. Perhaps the most difficult objective for any of the National Assemblies to accomplish is the one of increasing the number of Assemblies and Centers under their jurisdiction before the end of the Ten Year Plan. The friends must realize that this, by its very nature, is a task which it is dangerous to postpone to the latter years of the Plan. The construction of Assemblies is always a laborious process, and one which demands a great deal of preparation and forethought and time to achieve. Therefore, the sooner the believers go out into the field, and assist, through settlement or through extension teaching, or travelling teaching trips, or in whatever way they can, in laying the foundation for these new Assemblies, the better.He hopes that the Bahá’í youth in Germany will be encouraged to take a more active part in administrative affairs and in the teaching work. They must always realize that they are the future of the Cause, and they should gain from experience as teachers and administrators from the older friends, in preparation for the time when the burden of the work will fall on their shoulders.The news of the publication work you have in hand was also encouraging; and he hopes that, when you receive your Reparations from the proper civil authorities there, you will be able to put the new Bahá’í Publishing Trust on a firm foundation, and get out more literature, which is the very backbone of the teaching work.You may be sure that he often remembers you in his prayers in the holy Shrines; and he deeply appreciates the consecrated spirit with which you are serving the interests of the Faith in Germany and Austria, and in the virgin territories allotted to your care. He hopes that the national work can be arranged in such a way that too great a burden does not fall on the Hands of the Cause, who already have another important function to discharge, and yet who are needed because of their capacities for the National Assembly work as well.He was very sorry to hear of the illness of some of the members who are so needed in the teaching work in Germany, and he hopes and prays that they are now fully recovered.The good news that your National Convention was held so successfully pleased him very much; and he was also happy to see that a young and comparatively new Bahá’í has been added to your Body. This will no doubt be of assistance to the work of the Assembly.He was also happy to see that you have been able to add another incorporation, in such an important city as Frankfurt, the national seat....P.S. Mr. Ioas recently wrote your Assembly that the Guardian does not feel it would serve any useful purpose to reconsider Temple designs with Prof. Grund; please thank him for his helpfulness and fine spirit.[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:The progress achieved in recent years, and particularly since the inception of the Ten-Year Plan, by both the German and Austrian Bahá’í communities, in the field of teaching and administrative spheres of Bahá’í activity, has been such as to evoke feelings of deep and abiding gratitude in my heart, and to excite the admiration of their sister communities in both the East and the West.Emerging more than a decade ago, from a prolonged period of adversity, which served to purge, discipline and spiritually quicken the nations to which these communities belong; abundantly demonstrating, throughout the afflictive trial they underwent, the sterling qualities of their faith and the depth of their unalterable devotion to the Cause they have espoused; firmly reestablishing, on the morrow of that ordeal, the institutions of an Administrative Order which had been temporarily disrupted and suffered an eclipse during the years of repression, suffering and confusion; embarking, at a later period, and in concert with Bahá’í communities the world over, on the Ten-Year Plan, designed to carry them a stage further on the road leading them to their high destiny—the members of these communities are now, both individually and collectively, fully engaged in the discharge of their sacred and heavy responsibilities—responsibilities which they cannot shirk and which I feel confident, they will nobly and fully discharge.The third phase of the Plan which they now have entered must witness such an acceleration in the tempo of Bahá’í activity, in the various fields assigned to them, and such a depth of consecration to the tasks they have shouldered, as shall throw into shade every evidence of the valour displayed during the infancy of the Faith in both of these countries.The virgin territories alloted to your assembly, under the Ten-Year Plan, must be carefully watched over, and the prizes won in those fields must be constantly enriched, at whatever cost, through the dispatch of a larger number of pioneers and a more adequate provision for the needs, both material and spiritual, of those valiant souls who, by the very nature of their services, constitute the vanguard of the future army of Bahá’u’lláh which must, in the days to come be raised up in those territories. The homefront, the reservoir which must be constantly replenished if the aid given to these pioneers is to prove ultimately adequate and effective, must be made the object of the solicitude and of the anxious deliberations of the members of your Assembly. The remarkable success recently achieved, through the multiplication of Bahá’í assemblies, groups and isolated centres, must be followed up by a corresponding increase in the number of the avowed and active supporters of the Faith—the bedrock on which the strength and stability of the entire community must rest. The preliminary stages designed to launch the greatest enterprise confronting the German Bahá’í Community—the construction of the Mother Temple of Europe—must be swiftly and energetically undertaken, particularly in connexion with the ultimate settlement of the issue of the Temple site, and the provision of the necessary authorization for the laying of its foundations and the erection of its structure.Another matter of vital importance, and destined to exert a lasting influence on the immediate destinies of the German Bahá’í Community, is the adoption of the necessary measures for the introduction of the Faith into neighbouring territories, such as the translation of Bahá’í literature into Russian and into the languages in use in the Baltic states, and the exploration of every avenue designed to enable German Bahá’í pioneers to launch this vast, this historic and meritorious campaign beyond the eastern confines of their native land.The process of incorporating firmly established Bahá’í local assemblies, which has so far been regrettably slow, must be further stimulated, in order to consolidate the legal foundations of the administrative structure of the Faith in that land as well as in Austria.The institution of the National Fund, whose fundamental importance cannot be exaggerated, must receive a wider and fuller measure of support from the rank and file of the believers, in order that it may be enabled to provide more adequately than heretofore for the pressing material needs of the infant institutions of the Faith, now faced with such tremendous and inescapable responsibilities.Particular attention must, moreover, be devoted to the vital and urgent needs of the Faith in Austria, where a nascent community is heroically struggling to establish its independent national Bahá’í existence on a secure foundation.Constant encouragement, by whatever means possible, must, furthermore, be given the suppressed and isolated local communities in Eastern Germany, now so sadly detached from the general body of the followers of the Faith in that land, and any assistance, lying in your power, must be extended to them for the purpose of enabling some of their members to penetrate into the remaining territories assigned to your assembly under the provisions of the Ten-Year Plan.The stalwart German Bahá’í Community, ranking among the oldest and certainly one of the most eminent, communities in Europe; firmly implanted in the heart of that continent; constituting one of the leading strongholds of the Faith within its confines; reassured, time and again, through the glowing promises given it, in unmistakable language, by the Centre of the Covenant, in the early years of that community’s existence; blessed so abundantly through His memorable visit to its homeland; hardened and chastened in the school of adversity; emerging triumphant over those adversaries that sought so ineffectively to arrest its march, dim its hopes, and disrupt its foundations; fully equipped through more than three decades of Bahá’í administrative experience—such a community finds itself, at this historic hour, fully and hopefully launched upon an enterprise which, if successfully carried out, will enable it to bring to a conclusion a chapter of the utmost significance in the evolution of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in that land.Aware of its manifold responsibilities, determined to fulfill the dearest hopes cherished for it by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, conscious of its inherent strength, and encouraged by its multiple and heartwarming accomplishments, this community, in conjunction with its younger sister, must redouble its efforts to scale loftier heights, to plumb greater depths of dedication, to evince a still nobler heroism, and to heighten, by its accomplishments, and, above all, by a still more convincing demonstration of the spirit animating its members, the feelings of admiration which I myself, as well as the believers in other lands, hold them, in consequence of their mighty endeavours and unforgettable exploits in the service, and for the Cause, of Bahá’u’lláh.May His Spirit ever shine upon, and warm, their hearts. May His precepts ever guide their footsteps, and may His unfailing grace, vouchsafed from the realms on high, be poured forth upon them in such abundance as to enable them to achieve, in the years immediately ahead, total and complete victory.Your true brother,ShoghiLetter of 7 July 19567 July 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Under separate cover, I am sending you the latest design of Mr. Teuto Rocholl, which has been carefully reviewed by the Beloved Guardian.Also enclosed in the same package is a design for the German Temple, prepared by Mr. Charles Remey, which likewise has been very carefully reviewed by the Guardian.The Guardian feels that the German National Assembly may now make their selection from either of these two, of the design for the German Temple. He says you are free to chose either Mr. Rocholl’s or Mr. Remey’s design.In making your selection, you must of course, bear in mind the cost factor; that the building should not cost more than $300,000.As soon as you have made your decision, will you please cable me so I can inform the Guardian.The Guardian assures you of his prayers—and sends his loving Greetings....Letter of 7 July 19567 July 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:The Guardian has directed me to advise you that he appreciates your having established the Assistant Secretary of the NSA in the Hazírá in Frankfurt. The Guardian wishes you to bear this important matter in mind, for in time, the full Secretariat must be established in the Hazírá....Letter of 7 July 19567 July 1956Mrs. Anna Grossmann:The June 1956 issue of “Pflanze und Garten” issued in Darmstadt, Nicolaiweg 9, has an article on the Faith, and a number of photographs of the Gardens and Shrine of the Báb, as well as the Mansion at Bahjí.If you have not already seen it, you will wish to secure copies. At the same time, will you please send me for use here, 6 copies. It is not necessary to send the entire magazine for all six, simply the pages dealing with the Article. Two magazines will suffice, the other four to be the pages only....Letter of 8 July 19568 July 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:Referring to my letter of yesterday, with regard to the design for the German Temple.My letter should have specified, that the latest revised plan of Mr. Rocholl, No. 102-F is the one which should be considered for selection, and no former plans of Mr. Rocholl. In other words, the choice is left to the NSA of Germany, as to whether they select Mr. Rocholl’s design No. 102-F, or Mr. Remey’s design....Letter of 27 July 195627 July 1956Dearly Beloved Co-workers:I telegraphed you today, at the direction of the beloved Guardian, the wish that your Assembly, now concentrate closely, on the securing of the new site for the Temple.Now that you have determined on the design for the Temple, it is most important that you secure the land on which it is to be built.The Guardian feels this is a task of the utmost importance, as time is rapidly passing on, and he fears that if the work on the Temple is not started soon, it will not be completed during the Ten Year Crusade, which would be a sad state of affairs.The Guardian will be happy to learn at an early date, of what progress you have made with regard to the location of the Temple....
Letter of 15 December 195515 December 1955Dear Bahá’í Friends:The beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you in connection with the purchase of two endowments for the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria.As you know, the Hand of the Cause, Mrs. Amelia E. Collins, has contributed one thousand dollars for the purchase of each of these endowments.The Guardian feels that 2 small pieces of land costing about one thousand American Dollars each is sufficient to accomplish these two goals of the Ten Year Crusade. He hopes therefore your Assembly will proceed at once to purchase a small piece of land in Germany and also one in Austria.Will you please let me know in due course what your Assembly will do to accomplish this most important task?...Letter of 15 December 195515 December 1955Dear Bahá’í Friends:...The Guardian is quite anxious that the question of the Temple land and the Temple design be concluded at a very early date, as time is passing very rapidly. He has asked me to meet with your Assembly, if the Assembly does meet during my visit in Europe, or can meet. I could arrange to be in Germany early in January....Letter of 20 December 195520 December 1955Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your loving letter of December 8th was received and immediately presented to our Beloved Guardian:He directed me to cable you yesterday, which I did, as follows:“Guardian approves your asking other National Assemblies write Court. Suggests you write them direct giving full particulars. Does not feel exhibit appropriate until final Temple design approved. Writing.”The Guardian fully approved of your asking the various National Assemblies to write the Court, with regard to the World Importance of the Temple. He felt you should write them direct, giving them full particulars as to what you wish in the letters, to whom to be addressed, and any other pertinent data required. He hopes this will be helpful in working out this important matter.The Guardian felt it would be inadvisable to have an exhibit of proposals for the Temple, until such time as the final plan is approved. Thus you should hold the exhibit in abeyance until later. I am having sent you by separate mail, the designs, photographs, etc. which you sent to the Guardian.The Guardian assures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends you his loving Greetings....Letter of 3 February 19563 February 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write to your Assembly explaining his view that now that the National Hazírá has been established and is well able to take care of the national office of the National Assembly; that the office of the Secretary of the National Assembly should be established there as soon as convenient.From the Hazírá, all the national administrative activities should emanate, and this cannot be done unless the National Secretary’s office is established there. He requests your Assembly study the matter and see if it cannot soon work out some plan whereby the National Secretary’s office can permanently be established in Frankfurt in the National Hazírá.The Guardian assures the members of the Assembly of his prayers in their behalf. He sends you his loving Greetings....Letter of 20 March 195620 March 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:Thank you for your loving letter of March 10th, with regard to the translations into Russian.I hope the pamphlet which Mrs. Sommerau has prepared will soon be published, so that there will be literature available for this teaching work.The Guardian is extremely anxious of course for proper contacts to be made with the believers behind the Iron Curtain. However the utmost circumspection must be used; and certainly no one must enter into correspondence with them. I think you should inform ... that the Guardian is anxious for the closest contacts to be opened and maintained, but not through correspondence. Likewise when any Bahá’í goes behind the Iron Curtain and contacts the believers, it must be done very quietly and carefully.Do I understand from the letter that ... is intending to enter behind the Iron Curtain to visit the believers? This would be commendable if it can be done....Letter of 23 March 195623 March 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:The beloved Guardian was happy to receive your message of greeting dated February 19th, signed by all those present, and to see that it was possible for such a large number of the friends to attend this gathering.He hopes that this year, Number 113, the Year of Abhá of the sixth Vahíd in the Bahá’í calendar, will prove to be a truly “Most Luminous” one; and that, in spite of the ever-present difficulties which must constantly be met and surmounted, your National Assembly, reinforced in all its efforts by the entire body of the believers, may cause the Faith to forge ahead in those regions with yet greater momentum and power.He will remember you all in his loving prayers....[From the Guardian:]May the Almighty bless your efforts, guide every step you take, remove all obstacles from your path, and aid you to win great victories in the service of His glorious Faith,Your true brother,ShoghiLetter of 25 March 195625 March 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Referring to your loving letter of March 19th with regard to the designs for the Temple in Frankfurt:The designs of the second competition were duly received by the beloved Guardian. He is now giving them very active consideration. As soon as some decision is reached, I will be glad to communicate with you at once.The members of the International Council greatly appreciate your warm Naw-Rúz greetings, which they reciprocate most heartily. We will pray at the Shrines that every success will attend your efforts; and that the most important subject of the Temple grounds and Temple land will be satisfactorily settled in the very near future....Letter of 6 April 19566 April 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Enclosed is the beloved Guardian’s message to all Bahá’í Conventions. He would like you to please share it with the delegates and friends attending your National Convention.He hopes it will stimulate the teaching work, and particularly the pioneer work....Letter of 7 April 19567 April 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:Your loving letter of March 28th was duly received, carrying with it the strong spirit which animates the friends in Germany.The answers to the questions which you raised in your letter are as follows:The Guardian advises that he will leave to your discretion, just how the $1,000 which is available in America is to be used, in connection with the Endowment. In other words, you may purchase another piece of land for the $1,000; may apply it to repair of existing holdings, other than the Hazírá, such as the House in Esslingen—or put it in the Temple Fund.1. The goals of the Ten Year Crusade include the purchase of an endowment for Germany. By referring to page 72 of the British Statistical Book, issued at the beginning of the Ten Year Crusade, you will note, that Germany is listed as requiring an endowment. I think the Assembly should correspond with the American National Spiritual Assembly, so that the One Thousand Dollars which Mrs. Collins has made available may be sent to you.2. The beloved Guardian advises that he has ... on his list of those who wish to make the pilgrimage. As soon as it is possible for them to come, he will inform them. You might explain to these dear friends that there are a great many Persian Bahá’ís who wish to make the pilgrimage; and the Guardian feels he must invite them on the basis of the date of their application. In other words, those who asked for permission first would be the first to be invited to make the pilgrimage.3. I did not present to the Guardian the question of new Bahá’ís in Greece being allowed to remain in their church after they become Bahá’ís, because I knew there was no such situation existing. The Guardian does not wish to be asked to make rulings on situations which might develop. He has already enunciated very clearly the principle that when people become Bahá’ís, they should, if not immediately, then within a short time, leave the church. If there is any exception to be made to these rules, it would be on specific instances, and on specific application of a national assembly.When the pioneers in Greece have any individuals ready to become Bahá’ís, and then if the church question is a deterring factor, perhaps at that time your Assembly will wish to take the matter up with the Guardian. I am sure he would not want to issue a ruling on a possible future case.If this handling is not satisfactory to your Assembly, and you wish me to present the matter to the Guardian, in that event let me know and I will do so.4. I hope some arrangement is worked out to handle the publication of Russian literature. It will be of advantage at this time for local teaching and therefore what can—should certainly be prepared. I did inform Mrs. Sommerau that I would see that her pamphlet was financed, and I have had some correspondence with her and Marion Little concerning the matter. As developments occur, I will be glad to let you know....The Guardian sends his loving Greetings to the members of the N.S.A.Letter of 27 April 195627 April 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:The Beloved Guardian has been giving very serious consideration to the model for the Temple to be built in Frankfurt.He feels that the design No. 102-A, prepared by Architect Teuto Rocholl, is susceptible of development into the type of building which we wish.The Guardian asks that you consult with the architect, asking him to submit a few modifications of the plan, simply in a rough pencil sketch, incorporating the following adjustments:1. A third story should be provided without of course increasing the size of the building.2. The building must be 9-sided instead of round.3. A lantern should be placed on the top of the dome.4. The dome should be more gracefully shaped, with a little more peak to the top.5. It might be that some windows could be placed at the base of the dome, so as to give the impression of a clerestory.The architect himself may have some other modifications that may occur to him as he sets up plans.If you could have this matter handled as quickly as possible, the Guardian would be very appreciative. Time is running along very rapidly, and if an early start is not made on the building, it may be difficult to finish it during the Ten Year Plan.The Guardian sends you his loving greetings....Letter of 19 May 195619 May 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:Referring to your letter of May 5th, with regard to the model of the Temple. I cabled you May 14th, that the Guardian had not approved any design for the Temple. He simply felt that there was possibility of the design of Architect Rocholl, No. 102-A being developed into a suitable design. He has not been satisfied with the submissions, but when the revisions are sent by Mr. Rocholl, he will then reappraise all of them to see if any can be given further consideration.Please refer to my letter of November 23, 1955, item 6, in which it is stated the Guardian felt “the cost should run about $300,000 or a little more; certainly on the outside, not more than $400,000.” The Guardian has directed me to advise you, that he now feels the maximum which should be spent on the construction, is $300,000 and no more....Letter of 19 May 195619 May 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your loving letter of May 13th, has come to hand, and I am hastening to answer, particularly that portion dealing with the translations in Russian:Mrs. ... was raised in Russia; at least in the early part of her life. She fled with others during the Revolution. Thus her knowledge of Russian should be excellent.She has recently become a Bahá’í, in Lausanne.In Lausanne, another woman has become a Bahá’í, who is Russian, and is an excellent linguist. I understand in any translating now being done, she is being consulted.It is my thought that your Assembly should correspond with the Italo Swiss NSA, so as to set up some method of handling Russian translations and printing. As you know, ..., in Geneva, is Russian, and likewise a good translator. If your two NSA’s set up a General Translating Committee, I am sure great results would be achieved.I am sending Mrs. ..., some views of the Shrines and Gardens, which I hope will give her happiness....Letter of 19 May 195619 May 1956Dear Friends:The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you concerning the court case relating to the Temple Land near Eschborn.You have asked if the decision of the Court should be adverse, if you should appeal the case to a higher court.The Guardian feels that if the decision of the Court is adverse, then you should not appeal the case, but should at once look for another site for the Temple.Time is rapidly passing, and no further time should be lost in trying the case. You should find another piece of land, so work on the Temple may start. The Guardian is fearful, if there are further delays, either in the question of land, or the question of Model, the time will have so flown, that the Temple in Germany will not be built during the Ten Year Crusade.He assures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends his loving Greetings to all the members of the Assembly....Letter of 5 June 19565 June 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter of April 19th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He is very happy that Vienna now has its own Hazíratu’l-Quds, which will become the National Headquarters of the Austrian National Spiritual Assembly when formed.This important step forward is bound to reflect itself in the teaching work, and attract many new souls to the Faith.The establishment of the other Centers in Austria during the past year has been most encouraging, and he hopes that by Spring of next year there will be a number of flourishing Spiritual Assemblies.He will pray for you all and for the success of the work in Vienna....[From the Guardian:]May the Almighty, Whose Cause you serve so devotedly, reward you abundantly for your labours, remove all obstacles from your path, and enable you to win great victories in the days to come,Your true brother,ShoghiLetter of 8 June 19568 June 1956Dear Bahá’í Co-workers:The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you, in response to your recent letter to him, with regard to the modified Temple plans of Mr. Rocholl.As he understands the situation, your NSA is not pleased with the modified plans, and Mr. Rocholl says he will submit one or two others. The Guardian will await receipt of these further modifications, if it does not delay the matter too long.So far as a modification of Mr. Grund, he feels it would delay the project too long to wait for new plans from him; unless of course, he has them ready for sending now.In other words, the Guardian will await for a reasonable time, the receipt of further plans of Mr. Rocholl, before making final decision; and if by that time, any modifications have come from Mr. Grund, he will consider them; but he does not feel we can wait now, for an entire new development by Mr. Grund, unless he has it under way....Letter of 8 June 19568 June 1956Dear Bahá’í Co-workers:The Beloved Guardian, as you know, is very anxious to have the matter of the land for the Temple near Frankfurt decided as quickly as possible, and he is hoping the decision of the court will be favorably announced in the near future.Will you please cable me, just as soon as a decision is given, just what it is, so I may hand it to the Guardian at once....Letter of 21 June 195621 June 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letters of August 8 and 18, September 9, October 4, November 8, 9 and 13, one undated, received December 18, 1955; and January 27, one dated January, February 7, 24 and 28, April 21, May 5, and 31, with enclosures, and also material sent under separate cover have all been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He has been very encouraged during the last year over the increased activity on the part of the German Bahá’ís, as witnessed by the teaching conferences they have held at different times and in different places; and the growth of new Centers in Austria more or less as a direct outcome of the devoted pioneer efforts of members of the German Bahá’í Community. This fulfills a long-cherished wish of his, and was a source of great satisfaction. He hopes that the Groups in Graz, Innsbruck and Salzburg will attain Assembly status by next Ridván, thus giving the Austrian Community a much firmer foundation and preparing it for the day when it will have its independent National Assembly, a day which is not so very far off after all, and towards which they must work constantly, with ever increasing zeal and dedication.He was also very happy to hear that the Vienna Community has settled down in its Hazíratu’l-Quds, its future national headquarters building; and that this is not only a center for the Bahá’ís, but, what is even more important, a center for their teaching activities on a larger and more impressive scale in that city.As he already informed you before, he felt that the generous contribution of dear Mrs. Collins towards the purchase of a national endowment for Austria should be used for that purpose only, and not diverted to anything to do with the furnishing or embellishing of the Hazíratu’l-Quds.He hopes that the presence of a devoted American Bahá’í, Mrs. Edna Johnson Norvell in Austria will be of help to the friends. She is most eager to serve and assist them in every way she can.It has been recently a great pleasure for the Guardian to receive here as his guests four of the pioneers to Athens. This contact has been most welcome, and he feels that your Assembly can be proud of these fine young people, who are making every effort to achieve the goals set for the German Bahá’ís in Greece.He has also had the great pleasure of receiving here the first German Bahá’í since before the war; namely, Miss Weber, one of the pioneers to Crete.He hopes that the German Bahá’í Community will make every effort to send forth a greater number of pioneers to the countries which have been made their particular responsibility under the World Crusade, and also to reinforce the work in Austria. They must never forget that one of the first “pioneers”, before the days when that term was even in use, was dear Mr. Benke, who sacrificed his life in the service of the Faith with such an exemplary spirit of devotion that the Guardian felt impelled to call him the first European martyr for the Faith. This was a great distinction and blessing conferred on the German Bahá’ís, and should stimulate many others to follow in his footsteps.The Guardian is very sorry that there has been so much delay as regards the Temple in Frankfurt, both because of the difficulty of obtaining permission to build on the site chosen, and the difficulty in coming to a decision about the design.He feels that, as this is the Mother Temple of Europe, and an institution which will be supported by contributions from Bahá’ís all over the world, that it has a very great importance; and must under all circumstances be dignified, and not represent an extremist point of view in architecture. No one knows how the styles of the present day may be judged two or three generations from now; but the Bahá’ís cannot afford to build a second Temple if the one that they built at the present time should seem too extreme and unsuitable at a future date.In view of this, he has pondered very carefully over the designs which were submitted to him, and also consulted Mr. Remey. He hopes to come to a decision, and will inform your Assembly accordingly.He appreciated very much the cooperative spirit shown by many of the German architects and their offer to come here and consult with him. This would have been impractical, and a waste of the money of the Faith; but, if your Assembly has occasion, he would like it to please thank these gentlemen for their friendly and cooperative spirit as regards our Temple.He feels that the National Hazíratu’l-Quds in Frankfurt should act as the Secretariat of the National Assembly as well. This is the main reason why the Bahá’ís have National Headquarters—so that the office of the National Spiritual Assembly can operate from the National Assembly’s permanent address. It may not be convenient at times, but it is essential that this should be done. He has informed other national bodies of the same thing, that is, those who had not already placed their Secretariat in their Hazíratu’l-Quds.He feels that your Assembly should particularly concentrate at this time on accelerating the work on the home front. Perhaps the most difficult objective for any of the National Assemblies to accomplish is the one of increasing the number of Assemblies and Centers under their jurisdiction before the end of the Ten Year Plan. The friends must realize that this, by its very nature, is a task which it is dangerous to postpone to the latter years of the Plan. The construction of Assemblies is always a laborious process, and one which demands a great deal of preparation and forethought and time to achieve. Therefore, the sooner the believers go out into the field, and assist, through settlement or through extension teaching, or travelling teaching trips, or in whatever way they can, in laying the foundation for these new Assemblies, the better.He hopes that the Bahá’í youth in Germany will be encouraged to take a more active part in administrative affairs and in the teaching work. They must always realize that they are the future of the Cause, and they should gain from experience as teachers and administrators from the older friends, in preparation for the time when the burden of the work will fall on their shoulders.The news of the publication work you have in hand was also encouraging; and he hopes that, when you receive your Reparations from the proper civil authorities there, you will be able to put the new Bahá’í Publishing Trust on a firm foundation, and get out more literature, which is the very backbone of the teaching work.You may be sure that he often remembers you in his prayers in the holy Shrines; and he deeply appreciates the consecrated spirit with which you are serving the interests of the Faith in Germany and Austria, and in the virgin territories allotted to your care. He hopes that the national work can be arranged in such a way that too great a burden does not fall on the Hands of the Cause, who already have another important function to discharge, and yet who are needed because of their capacities for the National Assembly work as well.He was very sorry to hear of the illness of some of the members who are so needed in the teaching work in Germany, and he hopes and prays that they are now fully recovered.The good news that your National Convention was held so successfully pleased him very much; and he was also happy to see that a young and comparatively new Bahá’í has been added to your Body. This will no doubt be of assistance to the work of the Assembly.He was also happy to see that you have been able to add another incorporation, in such an important city as Frankfurt, the national seat....P.S. Mr. Ioas recently wrote your Assembly that the Guardian does not feel it would serve any useful purpose to reconsider Temple designs with Prof. Grund; please thank him for his helpfulness and fine spirit.[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:The progress achieved in recent years, and particularly since the inception of the Ten-Year Plan, by both the German and Austrian Bahá’í communities, in the field of teaching and administrative spheres of Bahá’í activity, has been such as to evoke feelings of deep and abiding gratitude in my heart, and to excite the admiration of their sister communities in both the East and the West.Emerging more than a decade ago, from a prolonged period of adversity, which served to purge, discipline and spiritually quicken the nations to which these communities belong; abundantly demonstrating, throughout the afflictive trial they underwent, the sterling qualities of their faith and the depth of their unalterable devotion to the Cause they have espoused; firmly reestablishing, on the morrow of that ordeal, the institutions of an Administrative Order which had been temporarily disrupted and suffered an eclipse during the years of repression, suffering and confusion; embarking, at a later period, and in concert with Bahá’í communities the world over, on the Ten-Year Plan, designed to carry them a stage further on the road leading them to their high destiny—the members of these communities are now, both individually and collectively, fully engaged in the discharge of their sacred and heavy responsibilities—responsibilities which they cannot shirk and which I feel confident, they will nobly and fully discharge.The third phase of the Plan which they now have entered must witness such an acceleration in the tempo of Bahá’í activity, in the various fields assigned to them, and such a depth of consecration to the tasks they have shouldered, as shall throw into shade every evidence of the valour displayed during the infancy of the Faith in both of these countries.The virgin territories alloted to your assembly, under the Ten-Year Plan, must be carefully watched over, and the prizes won in those fields must be constantly enriched, at whatever cost, through the dispatch of a larger number of pioneers and a more adequate provision for the needs, both material and spiritual, of those valiant souls who, by the very nature of their services, constitute the vanguard of the future army of Bahá’u’lláh which must, in the days to come be raised up in those territories. The homefront, the reservoir which must be constantly replenished if the aid given to these pioneers is to prove ultimately adequate and effective, must be made the object of the solicitude and of the anxious deliberations of the members of your Assembly. The remarkable success recently achieved, through the multiplication of Bahá’í assemblies, groups and isolated centres, must be followed up by a corresponding increase in the number of the avowed and active supporters of the Faith—the bedrock on which the strength and stability of the entire community must rest. The preliminary stages designed to launch the greatest enterprise confronting the German Bahá’í Community—the construction of the Mother Temple of Europe—must be swiftly and energetically undertaken, particularly in connexion with the ultimate settlement of the issue of the Temple site, and the provision of the necessary authorization for the laying of its foundations and the erection of its structure.Another matter of vital importance, and destined to exert a lasting influence on the immediate destinies of the German Bahá’í Community, is the adoption of the necessary measures for the introduction of the Faith into neighbouring territories, such as the translation of Bahá’í literature into Russian and into the languages in use in the Baltic states, and the exploration of every avenue designed to enable German Bahá’í pioneers to launch this vast, this historic and meritorious campaign beyond the eastern confines of their native land.The process of incorporating firmly established Bahá’í local assemblies, which has so far been regrettably slow, must be further stimulated, in order to consolidate the legal foundations of the administrative structure of the Faith in that land as well as in Austria.The institution of the National Fund, whose fundamental importance cannot be exaggerated, must receive a wider and fuller measure of support from the rank and file of the believers, in order that it may be enabled to provide more adequately than heretofore for the pressing material needs of the infant institutions of the Faith, now faced with such tremendous and inescapable responsibilities.Particular attention must, moreover, be devoted to the vital and urgent needs of the Faith in Austria, where a nascent community is heroically struggling to establish its independent national Bahá’í existence on a secure foundation.Constant encouragement, by whatever means possible, must, furthermore, be given the suppressed and isolated local communities in Eastern Germany, now so sadly detached from the general body of the followers of the Faith in that land, and any assistance, lying in your power, must be extended to them for the purpose of enabling some of their members to penetrate into the remaining territories assigned to your assembly under the provisions of the Ten-Year Plan.The stalwart German Bahá’í Community, ranking among the oldest and certainly one of the most eminent, communities in Europe; firmly implanted in the heart of that continent; constituting one of the leading strongholds of the Faith within its confines; reassured, time and again, through the glowing promises given it, in unmistakable language, by the Centre of the Covenant, in the early years of that community’s existence; blessed so abundantly through His memorable visit to its homeland; hardened and chastened in the school of adversity; emerging triumphant over those adversaries that sought so ineffectively to arrest its march, dim its hopes, and disrupt its foundations; fully equipped through more than three decades of Bahá’í administrative experience—such a community finds itself, at this historic hour, fully and hopefully launched upon an enterprise which, if successfully carried out, will enable it to bring to a conclusion a chapter of the utmost significance in the evolution of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in that land.Aware of its manifold responsibilities, determined to fulfill the dearest hopes cherished for it by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, conscious of its inherent strength, and encouraged by its multiple and heartwarming accomplishments, this community, in conjunction with its younger sister, must redouble its efforts to scale loftier heights, to plumb greater depths of dedication, to evince a still nobler heroism, and to heighten, by its accomplishments, and, above all, by a still more convincing demonstration of the spirit animating its members, the feelings of admiration which I myself, as well as the believers in other lands, hold them, in consequence of their mighty endeavours and unforgettable exploits in the service, and for the Cause, of Bahá’u’lláh.May His Spirit ever shine upon, and warm, their hearts. May His precepts ever guide their footsteps, and may His unfailing grace, vouchsafed from the realms on high, be poured forth upon them in such abundance as to enable them to achieve, in the years immediately ahead, total and complete victory.Your true brother,ShoghiLetter of 7 July 19567 July 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Under separate cover, I am sending you the latest design of Mr. Teuto Rocholl, which has been carefully reviewed by the Beloved Guardian.Also enclosed in the same package is a design for the German Temple, prepared by Mr. Charles Remey, which likewise has been very carefully reviewed by the Guardian.The Guardian feels that the German National Assembly may now make their selection from either of these two, of the design for the German Temple. He says you are free to chose either Mr. Rocholl’s or Mr. Remey’s design.In making your selection, you must of course, bear in mind the cost factor; that the building should not cost more than $300,000.As soon as you have made your decision, will you please cable me so I can inform the Guardian.The Guardian assures you of his prayers—and sends his loving Greetings....Letter of 7 July 19567 July 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:The Guardian has directed me to advise you that he appreciates your having established the Assistant Secretary of the NSA in the Hazírá in Frankfurt. The Guardian wishes you to bear this important matter in mind, for in time, the full Secretariat must be established in the Hazírá....Letter of 7 July 19567 July 1956Mrs. Anna Grossmann:The June 1956 issue of “Pflanze und Garten” issued in Darmstadt, Nicolaiweg 9, has an article on the Faith, and a number of photographs of the Gardens and Shrine of the Báb, as well as the Mansion at Bahjí.If you have not already seen it, you will wish to secure copies. At the same time, will you please send me for use here, 6 copies. It is not necessary to send the entire magazine for all six, simply the pages dealing with the Article. Two magazines will suffice, the other four to be the pages only....Letter of 8 July 19568 July 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:Referring to my letter of yesterday, with regard to the design for the German Temple.My letter should have specified, that the latest revised plan of Mr. Rocholl, No. 102-F is the one which should be considered for selection, and no former plans of Mr. Rocholl. In other words, the choice is left to the NSA of Germany, as to whether they select Mr. Rocholl’s design No. 102-F, or Mr. Remey’s design....Letter of 27 July 195627 July 1956Dearly Beloved Co-workers:I telegraphed you today, at the direction of the beloved Guardian, the wish that your Assembly, now concentrate closely, on the securing of the new site for the Temple.Now that you have determined on the design for the Temple, it is most important that you secure the land on which it is to be built.The Guardian feels this is a task of the utmost importance, as time is rapidly passing on, and he fears that if the work on the Temple is not started soon, it will not be completed during the Ten Year Crusade, which would be a sad state of affairs.The Guardian will be happy to learn at an early date, of what progress you have made with regard to the location of the Temple....
Letter of 15 December 195515 December 1955Dear Bahá’í Friends:The beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you in connection with the purchase of two endowments for the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria.As you know, the Hand of the Cause, Mrs. Amelia E. Collins, has contributed one thousand dollars for the purchase of each of these endowments.The Guardian feels that 2 small pieces of land costing about one thousand American Dollars each is sufficient to accomplish these two goals of the Ten Year Crusade. He hopes therefore your Assembly will proceed at once to purchase a small piece of land in Germany and also one in Austria.Will you please let me know in due course what your Assembly will do to accomplish this most important task?...
15 December 1955
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you in connection with the purchase of two endowments for the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria.
As you know, the Hand of the Cause, Mrs. Amelia E. Collins, has contributed one thousand dollars for the purchase of each of these endowments.
The Guardian feels that 2 small pieces of land costing about one thousand American Dollars each is sufficient to accomplish these two goals of the Ten Year Crusade. He hopes therefore your Assembly will proceed at once to purchase a small piece of land in Germany and also one in Austria.
Will you please let me know in due course what your Assembly will do to accomplish this most important task?...
Letter of 15 December 195515 December 1955Dear Bahá’í Friends:...The Guardian is quite anxious that the question of the Temple land and the Temple design be concluded at a very early date, as time is passing very rapidly. He has asked me to meet with your Assembly, if the Assembly does meet during my visit in Europe, or can meet. I could arrange to be in Germany early in January....
15 December 1955
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
...The Guardian is quite anxious that the question of the Temple land and the Temple design be concluded at a very early date, as time is passing very rapidly. He has asked me to meet with your Assembly, if the Assembly does meet during my visit in Europe, or can meet. I could arrange to be in Germany early in January....
Letter of 20 December 195520 December 1955Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your loving letter of December 8th was received and immediately presented to our Beloved Guardian:He directed me to cable you yesterday, which I did, as follows:“Guardian approves your asking other National Assemblies write Court. Suggests you write them direct giving full particulars. Does not feel exhibit appropriate until final Temple design approved. Writing.”The Guardian fully approved of your asking the various National Assemblies to write the Court, with regard to the World Importance of the Temple. He felt you should write them direct, giving them full particulars as to what you wish in the letters, to whom to be addressed, and any other pertinent data required. He hopes this will be helpful in working out this important matter.The Guardian felt it would be inadvisable to have an exhibit of proposals for the Temple, until such time as the final plan is approved. Thus you should hold the exhibit in abeyance until later. I am having sent you by separate mail, the designs, photographs, etc. which you sent to the Guardian.The Guardian assures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends you his loving Greetings....
20 December 1955
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your loving letter of December 8th was received and immediately presented to our Beloved Guardian:
He directed me to cable you yesterday, which I did, as follows:
“Guardian approves your asking other National Assemblies write Court. Suggests you write them direct giving full particulars. Does not feel exhibit appropriate until final Temple design approved. Writing.”
The Guardian fully approved of your asking the various National Assemblies to write the Court, with regard to the World Importance of the Temple. He felt you should write them direct, giving them full particulars as to what you wish in the letters, to whom to be addressed, and any other pertinent data required. He hopes this will be helpful in working out this important matter.
The Guardian felt it would be inadvisable to have an exhibit of proposals for the Temple, until such time as the final plan is approved. Thus you should hold the exhibit in abeyance until later. I am having sent you by separate mail, the designs, photographs, etc. which you sent to the Guardian.
The Guardian assures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends you his loving Greetings....
Letter of 3 February 19563 February 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write to your Assembly explaining his view that now that the National Hazírá has been established and is well able to take care of the national office of the National Assembly; that the office of the Secretary of the National Assembly should be established there as soon as convenient.From the Hazírá, all the national administrative activities should emanate, and this cannot be done unless the National Secretary’s office is established there. He requests your Assembly study the matter and see if it cannot soon work out some plan whereby the National Secretary’s office can permanently be established in Frankfurt in the National Hazírá.The Guardian assures the members of the Assembly of his prayers in their behalf. He sends you his loving Greetings....
3 February 1956
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write to your Assembly explaining his view that now that the National Hazírá has been established and is well able to take care of the national office of the National Assembly; that the office of the Secretary of the National Assembly should be established there as soon as convenient.
From the Hazírá, all the national administrative activities should emanate, and this cannot be done unless the National Secretary’s office is established there. He requests your Assembly study the matter and see if it cannot soon work out some plan whereby the National Secretary’s office can permanently be established in Frankfurt in the National Hazírá.
The Guardian assures the members of the Assembly of his prayers in their behalf. He sends you his loving Greetings....
Letter of 20 March 195620 March 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:Thank you for your loving letter of March 10th, with regard to the translations into Russian.I hope the pamphlet which Mrs. Sommerau has prepared will soon be published, so that there will be literature available for this teaching work.The Guardian is extremely anxious of course for proper contacts to be made with the believers behind the Iron Curtain. However the utmost circumspection must be used; and certainly no one must enter into correspondence with them. I think you should inform ... that the Guardian is anxious for the closest contacts to be opened and maintained, but not through correspondence. Likewise when any Bahá’í goes behind the Iron Curtain and contacts the believers, it must be done very quietly and carefully.Do I understand from the letter that ... is intending to enter behind the Iron Curtain to visit the believers? This would be commendable if it can be done....
20 March 1956
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
Thank you for your loving letter of March 10th, with regard to the translations into Russian.
I hope the pamphlet which Mrs. Sommerau has prepared will soon be published, so that there will be literature available for this teaching work.
The Guardian is extremely anxious of course for proper contacts to be made with the believers behind the Iron Curtain. However the utmost circumspection must be used; and certainly no one must enter into correspondence with them. I think you should inform ... that the Guardian is anxious for the closest contacts to be opened and maintained, but not through correspondence. Likewise when any Bahá’í goes behind the Iron Curtain and contacts the believers, it must be done very quietly and carefully.
Do I understand from the letter that ... is intending to enter behind the Iron Curtain to visit the believers? This would be commendable if it can be done....
Letter of 23 March 195623 March 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:The beloved Guardian was happy to receive your message of greeting dated February 19th, signed by all those present, and to see that it was possible for such a large number of the friends to attend this gathering.He hopes that this year, Number 113, the Year of Abhá of the sixth Vahíd in the Bahá’í calendar, will prove to be a truly “Most Luminous” one; and that, in spite of the ever-present difficulties which must constantly be met and surmounted, your National Assembly, reinforced in all its efforts by the entire body of the believers, may cause the Faith to forge ahead in those regions with yet greater momentum and power.He will remember you all in his loving prayers....[From the Guardian:]May the Almighty bless your efforts, guide every step you take, remove all obstacles from your path, and aid you to win great victories in the service of His glorious Faith,Your true brother,Shoghi
23 March 1956
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The beloved Guardian was happy to receive your message of greeting dated February 19th, signed by all those present, and to see that it was possible for such a large number of the friends to attend this gathering.
He hopes that this year, Number 113, the Year of Abhá of the sixth Vahíd in the Bahá’í calendar, will prove to be a truly “Most Luminous” one; and that, in spite of the ever-present difficulties which must constantly be met and surmounted, your National Assembly, reinforced in all its efforts by the entire body of the believers, may cause the Faith to forge ahead in those regions with yet greater momentum and power.
He will remember you all in his loving prayers....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your efforts, guide every step you take, remove all obstacles from your path, and aid you to win great victories in the service of His glorious Faith,
Your true brother,Shoghi
Letter of 25 March 195625 March 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Referring to your loving letter of March 19th with regard to the designs for the Temple in Frankfurt:The designs of the second competition were duly received by the beloved Guardian. He is now giving them very active consideration. As soon as some decision is reached, I will be glad to communicate with you at once.The members of the International Council greatly appreciate your warm Naw-Rúz greetings, which they reciprocate most heartily. We will pray at the Shrines that every success will attend your efforts; and that the most important subject of the Temple grounds and Temple land will be satisfactorily settled in the very near future....
25 March 1956
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Referring to your loving letter of March 19th with regard to the designs for the Temple in Frankfurt:
The designs of the second competition were duly received by the beloved Guardian. He is now giving them very active consideration. As soon as some decision is reached, I will be glad to communicate with you at once.
The members of the International Council greatly appreciate your warm Naw-Rúz greetings, which they reciprocate most heartily. We will pray at the Shrines that every success will attend your efforts; and that the most important subject of the Temple grounds and Temple land will be satisfactorily settled in the very near future....
Letter of 6 April 19566 April 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Enclosed is the beloved Guardian’s message to all Bahá’í Conventions. He would like you to please share it with the delegates and friends attending your National Convention.He hopes it will stimulate the teaching work, and particularly the pioneer work....
6 April 1956
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Enclosed is the beloved Guardian’s message to all Bahá’í Conventions. He would like you to please share it with the delegates and friends attending your National Convention.
He hopes it will stimulate the teaching work, and particularly the pioneer work....
Letter of 7 April 19567 April 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:Your loving letter of March 28th was duly received, carrying with it the strong spirit which animates the friends in Germany.The answers to the questions which you raised in your letter are as follows:The Guardian advises that he will leave to your discretion, just how the $1,000 which is available in America is to be used, in connection with the Endowment. In other words, you may purchase another piece of land for the $1,000; may apply it to repair of existing holdings, other than the Hazírá, such as the House in Esslingen—or put it in the Temple Fund.1. The goals of the Ten Year Crusade include the purchase of an endowment for Germany. By referring to page 72 of the British Statistical Book, issued at the beginning of the Ten Year Crusade, you will note, that Germany is listed as requiring an endowment. I think the Assembly should correspond with the American National Spiritual Assembly, so that the One Thousand Dollars which Mrs. Collins has made available may be sent to you.2. The beloved Guardian advises that he has ... on his list of those who wish to make the pilgrimage. As soon as it is possible for them to come, he will inform them. You might explain to these dear friends that there are a great many Persian Bahá’ís who wish to make the pilgrimage; and the Guardian feels he must invite them on the basis of the date of their application. In other words, those who asked for permission first would be the first to be invited to make the pilgrimage.3. I did not present to the Guardian the question of new Bahá’ís in Greece being allowed to remain in their church after they become Bahá’ís, because I knew there was no such situation existing. The Guardian does not wish to be asked to make rulings on situations which might develop. He has already enunciated very clearly the principle that when people become Bahá’ís, they should, if not immediately, then within a short time, leave the church. If there is any exception to be made to these rules, it would be on specific instances, and on specific application of a national assembly.When the pioneers in Greece have any individuals ready to become Bahá’ís, and then if the church question is a deterring factor, perhaps at that time your Assembly will wish to take the matter up with the Guardian. I am sure he would not want to issue a ruling on a possible future case.If this handling is not satisfactory to your Assembly, and you wish me to present the matter to the Guardian, in that event let me know and I will do so.4. I hope some arrangement is worked out to handle the publication of Russian literature. It will be of advantage at this time for local teaching and therefore what can—should certainly be prepared. I did inform Mrs. Sommerau that I would see that her pamphlet was financed, and I have had some correspondence with her and Marion Little concerning the matter. As developments occur, I will be glad to let you know....The Guardian sends his loving Greetings to the members of the N.S.A.
7 April 1956
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
Your loving letter of March 28th was duly received, carrying with it the strong spirit which animates the friends in Germany.
The answers to the questions which you raised in your letter are as follows:
The Guardian advises that he will leave to your discretion, just how the $1,000 which is available in America is to be used, in connection with the Endowment. In other words, you may purchase another piece of land for the $1,000; may apply it to repair of existing holdings, other than the Hazírá, such as the House in Esslingen—or put it in the Temple Fund.
1. The goals of the Ten Year Crusade include the purchase of an endowment for Germany. By referring to page 72 of the British Statistical Book, issued at the beginning of the Ten Year Crusade, you will note, that Germany is listed as requiring an endowment. I think the Assembly should correspond with the American National Spiritual Assembly, so that the One Thousand Dollars which Mrs. Collins has made available may be sent to you.
2. The beloved Guardian advises that he has ... on his list of those who wish to make the pilgrimage. As soon as it is possible for them to come, he will inform them. You might explain to these dear friends that there are a great many Persian Bahá’ís who wish to make the pilgrimage; and the Guardian feels he must invite them on the basis of the date of their application. In other words, those who asked for permission first would be the first to be invited to make the pilgrimage.
3. I did not present to the Guardian the question of new Bahá’ís in Greece being allowed to remain in their church after they become Bahá’ís, because I knew there was no such situation existing. The Guardian does not wish to be asked to make rulings on situations which might develop. He has already enunciated very clearly the principle that when people become Bahá’ís, they should, if not immediately, then within a short time, leave the church. If there is any exception to be made to these rules, it would be on specific instances, and on specific application of a national assembly.
When the pioneers in Greece have any individuals ready to become Bahá’ís, and then if the church question is a deterring factor, perhaps at that time your Assembly will wish to take the matter up with the Guardian. I am sure he would not want to issue a ruling on a possible future case.
If this handling is not satisfactory to your Assembly, and you wish me to present the matter to the Guardian, in that event let me know and I will do so.
4. I hope some arrangement is worked out to handle the publication of Russian literature. It will be of advantage at this time for local teaching and therefore what can—should certainly be prepared. I did inform Mrs. Sommerau that I would see that her pamphlet was financed, and I have had some correspondence with her and Marion Little concerning the matter. As developments occur, I will be glad to let you know....
The Guardian sends his loving Greetings to the members of the N.S.A.
Letter of 27 April 195627 April 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:The Beloved Guardian has been giving very serious consideration to the model for the Temple to be built in Frankfurt.He feels that the design No. 102-A, prepared by Architect Teuto Rocholl, is susceptible of development into the type of building which we wish.The Guardian asks that you consult with the architect, asking him to submit a few modifications of the plan, simply in a rough pencil sketch, incorporating the following adjustments:1. A third story should be provided without of course increasing the size of the building.2. The building must be 9-sided instead of round.3. A lantern should be placed on the top of the dome.4. The dome should be more gracefully shaped, with a little more peak to the top.5. It might be that some windows could be placed at the base of the dome, so as to give the impression of a clerestory.The architect himself may have some other modifications that may occur to him as he sets up plans.If you could have this matter handled as quickly as possible, the Guardian would be very appreciative. Time is running along very rapidly, and if an early start is not made on the building, it may be difficult to finish it during the Ten Year Plan.The Guardian sends you his loving greetings....
27 April 1956
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The Beloved Guardian has been giving very serious consideration to the model for the Temple to be built in Frankfurt.
He feels that the design No. 102-A, prepared by Architect Teuto Rocholl, is susceptible of development into the type of building which we wish.
The Guardian asks that you consult with the architect, asking him to submit a few modifications of the plan, simply in a rough pencil sketch, incorporating the following adjustments:
1. A third story should be provided without of course increasing the size of the building.
2. The building must be 9-sided instead of round.
3. A lantern should be placed on the top of the dome.
4. The dome should be more gracefully shaped, with a little more peak to the top.
5. It might be that some windows could be placed at the base of the dome, so as to give the impression of a clerestory.
The architect himself may have some other modifications that may occur to him as he sets up plans.
If you could have this matter handled as quickly as possible, the Guardian would be very appreciative. Time is running along very rapidly, and if an early start is not made on the building, it may be difficult to finish it during the Ten Year Plan.
The Guardian sends you his loving greetings....
Letter of 19 May 195619 May 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:Referring to your letter of May 5th, with regard to the model of the Temple. I cabled you May 14th, that the Guardian had not approved any design for the Temple. He simply felt that there was possibility of the design of Architect Rocholl, No. 102-A being developed into a suitable design. He has not been satisfied with the submissions, but when the revisions are sent by Mr. Rocholl, he will then reappraise all of them to see if any can be given further consideration.Please refer to my letter of November 23, 1955, item 6, in which it is stated the Guardian felt “the cost should run about $300,000 or a little more; certainly on the outside, not more than $400,000.” The Guardian has directed me to advise you, that he now feels the maximum which should be spent on the construction, is $300,000 and no more....
19 May 1956
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
Referring to your letter of May 5th, with regard to the model of the Temple. I cabled you May 14th, that the Guardian had not approved any design for the Temple. He simply felt that there was possibility of the design of Architect Rocholl, No. 102-A being developed into a suitable design. He has not been satisfied with the submissions, but when the revisions are sent by Mr. Rocholl, he will then reappraise all of them to see if any can be given further consideration.
Please refer to my letter of November 23, 1955, item 6, in which it is stated the Guardian felt “the cost should run about $300,000 or a little more; certainly on the outside, not more than $400,000.” The Guardian has directed me to advise you, that he now feels the maximum which should be spent on the construction, is $300,000 and no more....
Letter of 19 May 195619 May 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your loving letter of May 13th, has come to hand, and I am hastening to answer, particularly that portion dealing with the translations in Russian:Mrs. ... was raised in Russia; at least in the early part of her life. She fled with others during the Revolution. Thus her knowledge of Russian should be excellent.She has recently become a Bahá’í, in Lausanne.In Lausanne, another woman has become a Bahá’í, who is Russian, and is an excellent linguist. I understand in any translating now being done, she is being consulted.It is my thought that your Assembly should correspond with the Italo Swiss NSA, so as to set up some method of handling Russian translations and printing. As you know, ..., in Geneva, is Russian, and likewise a good translator. If your two NSA’s set up a General Translating Committee, I am sure great results would be achieved.I am sending Mrs. ..., some views of the Shrines and Gardens, which I hope will give her happiness....
19 May 1956
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your loving letter of May 13th, has come to hand, and I am hastening to answer, particularly that portion dealing with the translations in Russian:
Mrs. ... was raised in Russia; at least in the early part of her life. She fled with others during the Revolution. Thus her knowledge of Russian should be excellent.
She has recently become a Bahá’í, in Lausanne.
In Lausanne, another woman has become a Bahá’í, who is Russian, and is an excellent linguist. I understand in any translating now being done, she is being consulted.
It is my thought that your Assembly should correspond with the Italo Swiss NSA, so as to set up some method of handling Russian translations and printing. As you know, ..., in Geneva, is Russian, and likewise a good translator. If your two NSA’s set up a General Translating Committee, I am sure great results would be achieved.
I am sending Mrs. ..., some views of the Shrines and Gardens, which I hope will give her happiness....
Letter of 19 May 195619 May 1956Dear Friends:The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you concerning the court case relating to the Temple Land near Eschborn.You have asked if the decision of the Court should be adverse, if you should appeal the case to a higher court.The Guardian feels that if the decision of the Court is adverse, then you should not appeal the case, but should at once look for another site for the Temple.Time is rapidly passing, and no further time should be lost in trying the case. You should find another piece of land, so work on the Temple may start. The Guardian is fearful, if there are further delays, either in the question of land, or the question of Model, the time will have so flown, that the Temple in Germany will not be built during the Ten Year Crusade.He assures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends his loving Greetings to all the members of the Assembly....
19 May 1956
Dear Friends:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you concerning the court case relating to the Temple Land near Eschborn.
You have asked if the decision of the Court should be adverse, if you should appeal the case to a higher court.
The Guardian feels that if the decision of the Court is adverse, then you should not appeal the case, but should at once look for another site for the Temple.
Time is rapidly passing, and no further time should be lost in trying the case. You should find another piece of land, so work on the Temple may start. The Guardian is fearful, if there are further delays, either in the question of land, or the question of Model, the time will have so flown, that the Temple in Germany will not be built during the Ten Year Crusade.
He assures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends his loving Greetings to all the members of the Assembly....
Letter of 5 June 19565 June 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter of April 19th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He is very happy that Vienna now has its own Hazíratu’l-Quds, which will become the National Headquarters of the Austrian National Spiritual Assembly when formed.This important step forward is bound to reflect itself in the teaching work, and attract many new souls to the Faith.The establishment of the other Centers in Austria during the past year has been most encouraging, and he hopes that by Spring of next year there will be a number of flourishing Spiritual Assemblies.He will pray for you all and for the success of the work in Vienna....[From the Guardian:]May the Almighty, Whose Cause you serve so devotedly, reward you abundantly for your labours, remove all obstacles from your path, and enable you to win great victories in the days to come,Your true brother,Shoghi
5 June 1956
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your letter of April 19th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He is very happy that Vienna now has its own Hazíratu’l-Quds, which will become the National Headquarters of the Austrian National Spiritual Assembly when formed.
This important step forward is bound to reflect itself in the teaching work, and attract many new souls to the Faith.
The establishment of the other Centers in Austria during the past year has been most encouraging, and he hopes that by Spring of next year there will be a number of flourishing Spiritual Assemblies.
He will pray for you all and for the success of the work in Vienna....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty, Whose Cause you serve so devotedly, reward you abundantly for your labours, remove all obstacles from your path, and enable you to win great victories in the days to come,
Your true brother,Shoghi
Letter of 8 June 19568 June 1956Dear Bahá’í Co-workers:The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you, in response to your recent letter to him, with regard to the modified Temple plans of Mr. Rocholl.As he understands the situation, your NSA is not pleased with the modified plans, and Mr. Rocholl says he will submit one or two others. The Guardian will await receipt of these further modifications, if it does not delay the matter too long.So far as a modification of Mr. Grund, he feels it would delay the project too long to wait for new plans from him; unless of course, he has them ready for sending now.In other words, the Guardian will await for a reasonable time, the receipt of further plans of Mr. Rocholl, before making final decision; and if by that time, any modifications have come from Mr. Grund, he will consider them; but he does not feel we can wait now, for an entire new development by Mr. Grund, unless he has it under way....
8 June 1956
Dear Bahá’í Co-workers:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you, in response to your recent letter to him, with regard to the modified Temple plans of Mr. Rocholl.
As he understands the situation, your NSA is not pleased with the modified plans, and Mr. Rocholl says he will submit one or two others. The Guardian will await receipt of these further modifications, if it does not delay the matter too long.
So far as a modification of Mr. Grund, he feels it would delay the project too long to wait for new plans from him; unless of course, he has them ready for sending now.
In other words, the Guardian will await for a reasonable time, the receipt of further plans of Mr. Rocholl, before making final decision; and if by that time, any modifications have come from Mr. Grund, he will consider them; but he does not feel we can wait now, for an entire new development by Mr. Grund, unless he has it under way....
Letter of 8 June 19568 June 1956Dear Bahá’í Co-workers:The Beloved Guardian, as you know, is very anxious to have the matter of the land for the Temple near Frankfurt decided as quickly as possible, and he is hoping the decision of the court will be favorably announced in the near future.Will you please cable me, just as soon as a decision is given, just what it is, so I may hand it to the Guardian at once....
8 June 1956
Dear Bahá’í Co-workers:
The Beloved Guardian, as you know, is very anxious to have the matter of the land for the Temple near Frankfurt decided as quickly as possible, and he is hoping the decision of the court will be favorably announced in the near future.
Will you please cable me, just as soon as a decision is given, just what it is, so I may hand it to the Guardian at once....
Letter of 21 June 195621 June 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letters of August 8 and 18, September 9, October 4, November 8, 9 and 13, one undated, received December 18, 1955; and January 27, one dated January, February 7, 24 and 28, April 21, May 5, and 31, with enclosures, and also material sent under separate cover have all been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He has been very encouraged during the last year over the increased activity on the part of the German Bahá’ís, as witnessed by the teaching conferences they have held at different times and in different places; and the growth of new Centers in Austria more or less as a direct outcome of the devoted pioneer efforts of members of the German Bahá’í Community. This fulfills a long-cherished wish of his, and was a source of great satisfaction. He hopes that the Groups in Graz, Innsbruck and Salzburg will attain Assembly status by next Ridván, thus giving the Austrian Community a much firmer foundation and preparing it for the day when it will have its independent National Assembly, a day which is not so very far off after all, and towards which they must work constantly, with ever increasing zeal and dedication.He was also very happy to hear that the Vienna Community has settled down in its Hazíratu’l-Quds, its future national headquarters building; and that this is not only a center for the Bahá’ís, but, what is even more important, a center for their teaching activities on a larger and more impressive scale in that city.As he already informed you before, he felt that the generous contribution of dear Mrs. Collins towards the purchase of a national endowment for Austria should be used for that purpose only, and not diverted to anything to do with the furnishing or embellishing of the Hazíratu’l-Quds.He hopes that the presence of a devoted American Bahá’í, Mrs. Edna Johnson Norvell in Austria will be of help to the friends. She is most eager to serve and assist them in every way she can.It has been recently a great pleasure for the Guardian to receive here as his guests four of the pioneers to Athens. This contact has been most welcome, and he feels that your Assembly can be proud of these fine young people, who are making every effort to achieve the goals set for the German Bahá’ís in Greece.He has also had the great pleasure of receiving here the first German Bahá’í since before the war; namely, Miss Weber, one of the pioneers to Crete.He hopes that the German Bahá’í Community will make every effort to send forth a greater number of pioneers to the countries which have been made their particular responsibility under the World Crusade, and also to reinforce the work in Austria. They must never forget that one of the first “pioneers”, before the days when that term was even in use, was dear Mr. Benke, who sacrificed his life in the service of the Faith with such an exemplary spirit of devotion that the Guardian felt impelled to call him the first European martyr for the Faith. This was a great distinction and blessing conferred on the German Bahá’ís, and should stimulate many others to follow in his footsteps.The Guardian is very sorry that there has been so much delay as regards the Temple in Frankfurt, both because of the difficulty of obtaining permission to build on the site chosen, and the difficulty in coming to a decision about the design.He feels that, as this is the Mother Temple of Europe, and an institution which will be supported by contributions from Bahá’ís all over the world, that it has a very great importance; and must under all circumstances be dignified, and not represent an extremist point of view in architecture. No one knows how the styles of the present day may be judged two or three generations from now; but the Bahá’ís cannot afford to build a second Temple if the one that they built at the present time should seem too extreme and unsuitable at a future date.In view of this, he has pondered very carefully over the designs which were submitted to him, and also consulted Mr. Remey. He hopes to come to a decision, and will inform your Assembly accordingly.He appreciated very much the cooperative spirit shown by many of the German architects and their offer to come here and consult with him. This would have been impractical, and a waste of the money of the Faith; but, if your Assembly has occasion, he would like it to please thank these gentlemen for their friendly and cooperative spirit as regards our Temple.He feels that the National Hazíratu’l-Quds in Frankfurt should act as the Secretariat of the National Assembly as well. This is the main reason why the Bahá’ís have National Headquarters—so that the office of the National Spiritual Assembly can operate from the National Assembly’s permanent address. It may not be convenient at times, but it is essential that this should be done. He has informed other national bodies of the same thing, that is, those who had not already placed their Secretariat in their Hazíratu’l-Quds.He feels that your Assembly should particularly concentrate at this time on accelerating the work on the home front. Perhaps the most difficult objective for any of the National Assemblies to accomplish is the one of increasing the number of Assemblies and Centers under their jurisdiction before the end of the Ten Year Plan. The friends must realize that this, by its very nature, is a task which it is dangerous to postpone to the latter years of the Plan. The construction of Assemblies is always a laborious process, and one which demands a great deal of preparation and forethought and time to achieve. Therefore, the sooner the believers go out into the field, and assist, through settlement or through extension teaching, or travelling teaching trips, or in whatever way they can, in laying the foundation for these new Assemblies, the better.He hopes that the Bahá’í youth in Germany will be encouraged to take a more active part in administrative affairs and in the teaching work. They must always realize that they are the future of the Cause, and they should gain from experience as teachers and administrators from the older friends, in preparation for the time when the burden of the work will fall on their shoulders.The news of the publication work you have in hand was also encouraging; and he hopes that, when you receive your Reparations from the proper civil authorities there, you will be able to put the new Bahá’í Publishing Trust on a firm foundation, and get out more literature, which is the very backbone of the teaching work.You may be sure that he often remembers you in his prayers in the holy Shrines; and he deeply appreciates the consecrated spirit with which you are serving the interests of the Faith in Germany and Austria, and in the virgin territories allotted to your care. He hopes that the national work can be arranged in such a way that too great a burden does not fall on the Hands of the Cause, who already have another important function to discharge, and yet who are needed because of their capacities for the National Assembly work as well.He was very sorry to hear of the illness of some of the members who are so needed in the teaching work in Germany, and he hopes and prays that they are now fully recovered.The good news that your National Convention was held so successfully pleased him very much; and he was also happy to see that a young and comparatively new Bahá’í has been added to your Body. This will no doubt be of assistance to the work of the Assembly.He was also happy to see that you have been able to add another incorporation, in such an important city as Frankfurt, the national seat....P.S. Mr. Ioas recently wrote your Assembly that the Guardian does not feel it would serve any useful purpose to reconsider Temple designs with Prof. Grund; please thank him for his helpfulness and fine spirit.[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:The progress achieved in recent years, and particularly since the inception of the Ten-Year Plan, by both the German and Austrian Bahá’í communities, in the field of teaching and administrative spheres of Bahá’í activity, has been such as to evoke feelings of deep and abiding gratitude in my heart, and to excite the admiration of their sister communities in both the East and the West.Emerging more than a decade ago, from a prolonged period of adversity, which served to purge, discipline and spiritually quicken the nations to which these communities belong; abundantly demonstrating, throughout the afflictive trial they underwent, the sterling qualities of their faith and the depth of their unalterable devotion to the Cause they have espoused; firmly reestablishing, on the morrow of that ordeal, the institutions of an Administrative Order which had been temporarily disrupted and suffered an eclipse during the years of repression, suffering and confusion; embarking, at a later period, and in concert with Bahá’í communities the world over, on the Ten-Year Plan, designed to carry them a stage further on the road leading them to their high destiny—the members of these communities are now, both individually and collectively, fully engaged in the discharge of their sacred and heavy responsibilities—responsibilities which they cannot shirk and which I feel confident, they will nobly and fully discharge.The third phase of the Plan which they now have entered must witness such an acceleration in the tempo of Bahá’í activity, in the various fields assigned to them, and such a depth of consecration to the tasks they have shouldered, as shall throw into shade every evidence of the valour displayed during the infancy of the Faith in both of these countries.The virgin territories alloted to your assembly, under the Ten-Year Plan, must be carefully watched over, and the prizes won in those fields must be constantly enriched, at whatever cost, through the dispatch of a larger number of pioneers and a more adequate provision for the needs, both material and spiritual, of those valiant souls who, by the very nature of their services, constitute the vanguard of the future army of Bahá’u’lláh which must, in the days to come be raised up in those territories. The homefront, the reservoir which must be constantly replenished if the aid given to these pioneers is to prove ultimately adequate and effective, must be made the object of the solicitude and of the anxious deliberations of the members of your Assembly. The remarkable success recently achieved, through the multiplication of Bahá’í assemblies, groups and isolated centres, must be followed up by a corresponding increase in the number of the avowed and active supporters of the Faith—the bedrock on which the strength and stability of the entire community must rest. The preliminary stages designed to launch the greatest enterprise confronting the German Bahá’í Community—the construction of the Mother Temple of Europe—must be swiftly and energetically undertaken, particularly in connexion with the ultimate settlement of the issue of the Temple site, and the provision of the necessary authorization for the laying of its foundations and the erection of its structure.Another matter of vital importance, and destined to exert a lasting influence on the immediate destinies of the German Bahá’í Community, is the adoption of the necessary measures for the introduction of the Faith into neighbouring territories, such as the translation of Bahá’í literature into Russian and into the languages in use in the Baltic states, and the exploration of every avenue designed to enable German Bahá’í pioneers to launch this vast, this historic and meritorious campaign beyond the eastern confines of their native land.The process of incorporating firmly established Bahá’í local assemblies, which has so far been regrettably slow, must be further stimulated, in order to consolidate the legal foundations of the administrative structure of the Faith in that land as well as in Austria.The institution of the National Fund, whose fundamental importance cannot be exaggerated, must receive a wider and fuller measure of support from the rank and file of the believers, in order that it may be enabled to provide more adequately than heretofore for the pressing material needs of the infant institutions of the Faith, now faced with such tremendous and inescapable responsibilities.Particular attention must, moreover, be devoted to the vital and urgent needs of the Faith in Austria, where a nascent community is heroically struggling to establish its independent national Bahá’í existence on a secure foundation.Constant encouragement, by whatever means possible, must, furthermore, be given the suppressed and isolated local communities in Eastern Germany, now so sadly detached from the general body of the followers of the Faith in that land, and any assistance, lying in your power, must be extended to them for the purpose of enabling some of their members to penetrate into the remaining territories assigned to your assembly under the provisions of the Ten-Year Plan.The stalwart German Bahá’í Community, ranking among the oldest and certainly one of the most eminent, communities in Europe; firmly implanted in the heart of that continent; constituting one of the leading strongholds of the Faith within its confines; reassured, time and again, through the glowing promises given it, in unmistakable language, by the Centre of the Covenant, in the early years of that community’s existence; blessed so abundantly through His memorable visit to its homeland; hardened and chastened in the school of adversity; emerging triumphant over those adversaries that sought so ineffectively to arrest its march, dim its hopes, and disrupt its foundations; fully equipped through more than three decades of Bahá’í administrative experience—such a community finds itself, at this historic hour, fully and hopefully launched upon an enterprise which, if successfully carried out, will enable it to bring to a conclusion a chapter of the utmost significance in the evolution of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in that land.Aware of its manifold responsibilities, determined to fulfill the dearest hopes cherished for it by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, conscious of its inherent strength, and encouraged by its multiple and heartwarming accomplishments, this community, in conjunction with its younger sister, must redouble its efforts to scale loftier heights, to plumb greater depths of dedication, to evince a still nobler heroism, and to heighten, by its accomplishments, and, above all, by a still more convincing demonstration of the spirit animating its members, the feelings of admiration which I myself, as well as the believers in other lands, hold them, in consequence of their mighty endeavours and unforgettable exploits in the service, and for the Cause, of Bahá’u’lláh.May His Spirit ever shine upon, and warm, their hearts. May His precepts ever guide their footsteps, and may His unfailing grace, vouchsafed from the realms on high, be poured forth upon them in such abundance as to enable them to achieve, in the years immediately ahead, total and complete victory.Your true brother,Shoghi
21 June 1956
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your letters of August 8 and 18, September 9, October 4, November 8, 9 and 13, one undated, received December 18, 1955; and January 27, one dated January, February 7, 24 and 28, April 21, May 5, and 31, with enclosures, and also material sent under separate cover have all been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He has been very encouraged during the last year over the increased activity on the part of the German Bahá’ís, as witnessed by the teaching conferences they have held at different times and in different places; and the growth of new Centers in Austria more or less as a direct outcome of the devoted pioneer efforts of members of the German Bahá’í Community. This fulfills a long-cherished wish of his, and was a source of great satisfaction. He hopes that the Groups in Graz, Innsbruck and Salzburg will attain Assembly status by next Ridván, thus giving the Austrian Community a much firmer foundation and preparing it for the day when it will have its independent National Assembly, a day which is not so very far off after all, and towards which they must work constantly, with ever increasing zeal and dedication.
He was also very happy to hear that the Vienna Community has settled down in its Hazíratu’l-Quds, its future national headquarters building; and that this is not only a center for the Bahá’ís, but, what is even more important, a center for their teaching activities on a larger and more impressive scale in that city.
As he already informed you before, he felt that the generous contribution of dear Mrs. Collins towards the purchase of a national endowment for Austria should be used for that purpose only, and not diverted to anything to do with the furnishing or embellishing of the Hazíratu’l-Quds.
He hopes that the presence of a devoted American Bahá’í, Mrs. Edna Johnson Norvell in Austria will be of help to the friends. She is most eager to serve and assist them in every way she can.
It has been recently a great pleasure for the Guardian to receive here as his guests four of the pioneers to Athens. This contact has been most welcome, and he feels that your Assembly can be proud of these fine young people, who are making every effort to achieve the goals set for the German Bahá’ís in Greece.
He has also had the great pleasure of receiving here the first German Bahá’í since before the war; namely, Miss Weber, one of the pioneers to Crete.
He hopes that the German Bahá’í Community will make every effort to send forth a greater number of pioneers to the countries which have been made their particular responsibility under the World Crusade, and also to reinforce the work in Austria. They must never forget that one of the first “pioneers”, before the days when that term was even in use, was dear Mr. Benke, who sacrificed his life in the service of the Faith with such an exemplary spirit of devotion that the Guardian felt impelled to call him the first European martyr for the Faith. This was a great distinction and blessing conferred on the German Bahá’ís, and should stimulate many others to follow in his footsteps.
The Guardian is very sorry that there has been so much delay as regards the Temple in Frankfurt, both because of the difficulty of obtaining permission to build on the site chosen, and the difficulty in coming to a decision about the design.
He feels that, as this is the Mother Temple of Europe, and an institution which will be supported by contributions from Bahá’ís all over the world, that it has a very great importance; and must under all circumstances be dignified, and not represent an extremist point of view in architecture. No one knows how the styles of the present day may be judged two or three generations from now; but the Bahá’ís cannot afford to build a second Temple if the one that they built at the present time should seem too extreme and unsuitable at a future date.
In view of this, he has pondered very carefully over the designs which were submitted to him, and also consulted Mr. Remey. He hopes to come to a decision, and will inform your Assembly accordingly.
He appreciated very much the cooperative spirit shown by many of the German architects and their offer to come here and consult with him. This would have been impractical, and a waste of the money of the Faith; but, if your Assembly has occasion, he would like it to please thank these gentlemen for their friendly and cooperative spirit as regards our Temple.
He feels that the National Hazíratu’l-Quds in Frankfurt should act as the Secretariat of the National Assembly as well. This is the main reason why the Bahá’ís have National Headquarters—so that the office of the National Spiritual Assembly can operate from the National Assembly’s permanent address. It may not be convenient at times, but it is essential that this should be done. He has informed other national bodies of the same thing, that is, those who had not already placed their Secretariat in their Hazíratu’l-Quds.
He feels that your Assembly should particularly concentrate at this time on accelerating the work on the home front. Perhaps the most difficult objective for any of the National Assemblies to accomplish is the one of increasing the number of Assemblies and Centers under their jurisdiction before the end of the Ten Year Plan. The friends must realize that this, by its very nature, is a task which it is dangerous to postpone to the latter years of the Plan. The construction of Assemblies is always a laborious process, and one which demands a great deal of preparation and forethought and time to achieve. Therefore, the sooner the believers go out into the field, and assist, through settlement or through extension teaching, or travelling teaching trips, or in whatever way they can, in laying the foundation for these new Assemblies, the better.
He hopes that the Bahá’í youth in Germany will be encouraged to take a more active part in administrative affairs and in the teaching work. They must always realize that they are the future of the Cause, and they should gain from experience as teachers and administrators from the older friends, in preparation for the time when the burden of the work will fall on their shoulders.
The news of the publication work you have in hand was also encouraging; and he hopes that, when you receive your Reparations from the proper civil authorities there, you will be able to put the new Bahá’í Publishing Trust on a firm foundation, and get out more literature, which is the very backbone of the teaching work.
You may be sure that he often remembers you in his prayers in the holy Shrines; and he deeply appreciates the consecrated spirit with which you are serving the interests of the Faith in Germany and Austria, and in the virgin territories allotted to your care. He hopes that the national work can be arranged in such a way that too great a burden does not fall on the Hands of the Cause, who already have another important function to discharge, and yet who are needed because of their capacities for the National Assembly work as well.
He was very sorry to hear of the illness of some of the members who are so needed in the teaching work in Germany, and he hopes and prays that they are now fully recovered.
The good news that your National Convention was held so successfully pleased him very much; and he was also happy to see that a young and comparatively new Bahá’í has been added to your Body. This will no doubt be of assistance to the work of the Assembly.
He was also happy to see that you have been able to add another incorporation, in such an important city as Frankfurt, the national seat....
P.S. Mr. Ioas recently wrote your Assembly that the Guardian does not feel it would serve any useful purpose to reconsider Temple designs with Prof. Grund; please thank him for his helpfulness and fine spirit.
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers:
The progress achieved in recent years, and particularly since the inception of the Ten-Year Plan, by both the German and Austrian Bahá’í communities, in the field of teaching and administrative spheres of Bahá’í activity, has been such as to evoke feelings of deep and abiding gratitude in my heart, and to excite the admiration of their sister communities in both the East and the West.
Emerging more than a decade ago, from a prolonged period of adversity, which served to purge, discipline and spiritually quicken the nations to which these communities belong; abundantly demonstrating, throughout the afflictive trial they underwent, the sterling qualities of their faith and the depth of their unalterable devotion to the Cause they have espoused; firmly reestablishing, on the morrow of that ordeal, the institutions of an Administrative Order which had been temporarily disrupted and suffered an eclipse during the years of repression, suffering and confusion; embarking, at a later period, and in concert with Bahá’í communities the world over, on the Ten-Year Plan, designed to carry them a stage further on the road leading them to their high destiny—the members of these communities are now, both individually and collectively, fully engaged in the discharge of their sacred and heavy responsibilities—responsibilities which they cannot shirk and which I feel confident, they will nobly and fully discharge.
The third phase of the Plan which they now have entered must witness such an acceleration in the tempo of Bahá’í activity, in the various fields assigned to them, and such a depth of consecration to the tasks they have shouldered, as shall throw into shade every evidence of the valour displayed during the infancy of the Faith in both of these countries.
The virgin territories alloted to your assembly, under the Ten-Year Plan, must be carefully watched over, and the prizes won in those fields must be constantly enriched, at whatever cost, through the dispatch of a larger number of pioneers and a more adequate provision for the needs, both material and spiritual, of those valiant souls who, by the very nature of their services, constitute the vanguard of the future army of Bahá’u’lláh which must, in the days to come be raised up in those territories. The homefront, the reservoir which must be constantly replenished if the aid given to these pioneers is to prove ultimately adequate and effective, must be made the object of the solicitude and of the anxious deliberations of the members of your Assembly. The remarkable success recently achieved, through the multiplication of Bahá’í assemblies, groups and isolated centres, must be followed up by a corresponding increase in the number of the avowed and active supporters of the Faith—the bedrock on which the strength and stability of the entire community must rest. The preliminary stages designed to launch the greatest enterprise confronting the German Bahá’í Community—the construction of the Mother Temple of Europe—must be swiftly and energetically undertaken, particularly in connexion with the ultimate settlement of the issue of the Temple site, and the provision of the necessary authorization for the laying of its foundations and the erection of its structure.
Another matter of vital importance, and destined to exert a lasting influence on the immediate destinies of the German Bahá’í Community, is the adoption of the necessary measures for the introduction of the Faith into neighbouring territories, such as the translation of Bahá’í literature into Russian and into the languages in use in the Baltic states, and the exploration of every avenue designed to enable German Bahá’í pioneers to launch this vast, this historic and meritorious campaign beyond the eastern confines of their native land.
The process of incorporating firmly established Bahá’í local assemblies, which has so far been regrettably slow, must be further stimulated, in order to consolidate the legal foundations of the administrative structure of the Faith in that land as well as in Austria.
The institution of the National Fund, whose fundamental importance cannot be exaggerated, must receive a wider and fuller measure of support from the rank and file of the believers, in order that it may be enabled to provide more adequately than heretofore for the pressing material needs of the infant institutions of the Faith, now faced with such tremendous and inescapable responsibilities.
Particular attention must, moreover, be devoted to the vital and urgent needs of the Faith in Austria, where a nascent community is heroically struggling to establish its independent national Bahá’í existence on a secure foundation.
Constant encouragement, by whatever means possible, must, furthermore, be given the suppressed and isolated local communities in Eastern Germany, now so sadly detached from the general body of the followers of the Faith in that land, and any assistance, lying in your power, must be extended to them for the purpose of enabling some of their members to penetrate into the remaining territories assigned to your assembly under the provisions of the Ten-Year Plan.
The stalwart German Bahá’í Community, ranking among the oldest and certainly one of the most eminent, communities in Europe; firmly implanted in the heart of that continent; constituting one of the leading strongholds of the Faith within its confines; reassured, time and again, through the glowing promises given it, in unmistakable language, by the Centre of the Covenant, in the early years of that community’s existence; blessed so abundantly through His memorable visit to its homeland; hardened and chastened in the school of adversity; emerging triumphant over those adversaries that sought so ineffectively to arrest its march, dim its hopes, and disrupt its foundations; fully equipped through more than three decades of Bahá’í administrative experience—such a community finds itself, at this historic hour, fully and hopefully launched upon an enterprise which, if successfully carried out, will enable it to bring to a conclusion a chapter of the utmost significance in the evolution of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in that land.
Aware of its manifold responsibilities, determined to fulfill the dearest hopes cherished for it by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, conscious of its inherent strength, and encouraged by its multiple and heartwarming accomplishments, this community, in conjunction with its younger sister, must redouble its efforts to scale loftier heights, to plumb greater depths of dedication, to evince a still nobler heroism, and to heighten, by its accomplishments, and, above all, by a still more convincing demonstration of the spirit animating its members, the feelings of admiration which I myself, as well as the believers in other lands, hold them, in consequence of their mighty endeavours and unforgettable exploits in the service, and for the Cause, of Bahá’u’lláh.
May His Spirit ever shine upon, and warm, their hearts. May His precepts ever guide their footsteps, and may His unfailing grace, vouchsafed from the realms on high, be poured forth upon them in such abundance as to enable them to achieve, in the years immediately ahead, total and complete victory.
Your true brother,Shoghi
Letter of 7 July 19567 July 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:Under separate cover, I am sending you the latest design of Mr. Teuto Rocholl, which has been carefully reviewed by the Beloved Guardian.Also enclosed in the same package is a design for the German Temple, prepared by Mr. Charles Remey, which likewise has been very carefully reviewed by the Guardian.The Guardian feels that the German National Assembly may now make their selection from either of these two, of the design for the German Temple. He says you are free to chose either Mr. Rocholl’s or Mr. Remey’s design.In making your selection, you must of course, bear in mind the cost factor; that the building should not cost more than $300,000.As soon as you have made your decision, will you please cable me so I can inform the Guardian.The Guardian assures you of his prayers—and sends his loving Greetings....
7 July 1956
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Under separate cover, I am sending you the latest design of Mr. Teuto Rocholl, which has been carefully reviewed by the Beloved Guardian.
Also enclosed in the same package is a design for the German Temple, prepared by Mr. Charles Remey, which likewise has been very carefully reviewed by the Guardian.
The Guardian feels that the German National Assembly may now make their selection from either of these two, of the design for the German Temple. He says you are free to chose either Mr. Rocholl’s or Mr. Remey’s design.
In making your selection, you must of course, bear in mind the cost factor; that the building should not cost more than $300,000.
As soon as you have made your decision, will you please cable me so I can inform the Guardian.
The Guardian assures you of his prayers—and sends his loving Greetings....
Letter of 7 July 19567 July 1956Dear Bahá’í Friends:The Guardian has directed me to advise you that he appreciates your having established the Assistant Secretary of the NSA in the Hazírá in Frankfurt. The Guardian wishes you to bear this important matter in mind, for in time, the full Secretariat must be established in the Hazírá....
7 July 1956
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The Guardian has directed me to advise you that he appreciates your having established the Assistant Secretary of the NSA in the Hazírá in Frankfurt. The Guardian wishes you to bear this important matter in mind, for in time, the full Secretariat must be established in the Hazírá....
Letter of 7 July 19567 July 1956Mrs. Anna Grossmann:The June 1956 issue of “Pflanze und Garten” issued in Darmstadt, Nicolaiweg 9, has an article on the Faith, and a number of photographs of the Gardens and Shrine of the Báb, as well as the Mansion at Bahjí.If you have not already seen it, you will wish to secure copies. At the same time, will you please send me for use here, 6 copies. It is not necessary to send the entire magazine for all six, simply the pages dealing with the Article. Two magazines will suffice, the other four to be the pages only....
7 July 1956
Mrs. Anna Grossmann:
The June 1956 issue of “Pflanze und Garten” issued in Darmstadt, Nicolaiweg 9, has an article on the Faith, and a number of photographs of the Gardens and Shrine of the Báb, as well as the Mansion at Bahjí.
If you have not already seen it, you will wish to secure copies. At the same time, will you please send me for use here, 6 copies. It is not necessary to send the entire magazine for all six, simply the pages dealing with the Article. Two magazines will suffice, the other four to be the pages only....
Letter of 8 July 19568 July 1956Dear Bahá’í Sister:Referring to my letter of yesterday, with regard to the design for the German Temple.My letter should have specified, that the latest revised plan of Mr. Rocholl, No. 102-F is the one which should be considered for selection, and no former plans of Mr. Rocholl. In other words, the choice is left to the NSA of Germany, as to whether they select Mr. Rocholl’s design No. 102-F, or Mr. Remey’s design....
8 July 1956
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
Referring to my letter of yesterday, with regard to the design for the German Temple.
My letter should have specified, that the latest revised plan of Mr. Rocholl, No. 102-F is the one which should be considered for selection, and no former plans of Mr. Rocholl. In other words, the choice is left to the NSA of Germany, as to whether they select Mr. Rocholl’s design No. 102-F, or Mr. Remey’s design....
Letter of 27 July 195627 July 1956Dearly Beloved Co-workers:I telegraphed you today, at the direction of the beloved Guardian, the wish that your Assembly, now concentrate closely, on the securing of the new site for the Temple.Now that you have determined on the design for the Temple, it is most important that you secure the land on which it is to be built.The Guardian feels this is a task of the utmost importance, as time is rapidly passing on, and he fears that if the work on the Temple is not started soon, it will not be completed during the Ten Year Crusade, which would be a sad state of affairs.The Guardian will be happy to learn at an early date, of what progress you have made with regard to the location of the Temple....
27 July 1956
Dearly Beloved Co-workers:
I telegraphed you today, at the direction of the beloved Guardian, the wish that your Assembly, now concentrate closely, on the securing of the new site for the Temple.
Now that you have determined on the design for the Temple, it is most important that you secure the land on which it is to be built.
The Guardian feels this is a task of the utmost importance, as time is rapidly passing on, and he fears that if the work on the Temple is not started soon, it will not be completed during the Ten Year Crusade, which would be a sad state of affairs.
The Guardian will be happy to learn at an early date, of what progress you have made with regard to the location of the Temple....