Letter of 4 May 1946

Letter of 4 May 19464 May 1946Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter of March 17th (the copy of which Mr. Eichenauer also forwarded) has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He is very anxious for the young Bahá’ís, everywhere, to deepen their knowledge of the teachings, of Bahá’í administration and laws, and to live an exemplary Bahá’í life in order to prepare themselves for their work in the Cause as teachers and administrators. They are the ones who will toil in the glorious and difficult days that lie ahead, and they must now fit themselves to be worthy of their future high responsibilities and duties.He assures you all he will pray for your services, your progress and development, in the Holy Shrines, and he cherishes great hopes for your future....[From the Guardian:]Dear co-workers:My heart rejoiced and my soul was refreshed at the receipt of your most welcome message, signed by so great a number of ardent and youthful co-workers in a land so rich in promise, so blessed by our Beloved, and so severely tried by the vicissitudes of war. You are, I assure you, often in my thoughts and prayers, and I cherish the brightest hopes for your future work. You are, I feel confident, destined to achieve memorable victories, both in your native land and on the continent of Europe, and you should diligently and unitedly prepare yourselves for this glorious task. Persevere, redouble your efforts, and rest assured that the Beloved will bless and sustain you always.Your true brother,ShoghiLetter of 30 July 194630 July 1946Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter of June 29th, with its translation, was received, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.He was so very happy to hear from your Assembly after all these years, since that important institution was disbanded, and hopes from time to time you will send him reports of your work.As regards the question you asked him: he feels that the Bahá’ís in Germany should, by all means, follow the same procedure as regards withdrawing from church membership as that in America. You should point out to the believers that, by belonging to other organized religious bodies, we are not acting openly because we firmly believe Christ has come again—so how can we belong to a church which does not accept Bahá’u’lláh and His message as the fulfilment of Jesus’ message and the reappearance of Jesus Himself?He is very anxious that ways should be found for you to receive the money collected in Ṭihrán and spend it on the Cause and its institutions in Germany. The eagerness of the people to hear of the Faith imposes a sacred duty on all the German Bahá’ís to see that they are not denied this Divine Revelation in their hour of need.You may be sure the Guardian will do all he can to assist you, and his ardent prayers are offered on your behalf, for your assistance, your guidance, and the success of your sacred labours to give to Germany the news of this precious Faith’s existence, and to administer with wisdom the affairs of the Cause there.He urges you to hold as frequent meetings as possible, and, in cooperation with the American N.S.A. to get as much literature printed and disseminated as you can....[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:Your letter brought great joy to my heart. I rejoice to hear of the formation of your assembly, the cornerstone of the foundation of the Faith in that land. I urge you to consult and deliberate as frequently as you can on the affairs of the Faith, devise the most effective measures for its spread, extend the range of Bahá’í publications, and the friends to scatter as widely as they can in order to multiply the centres and establish new assemblies, extend any assistance you can to the friends in Vienna and take whatever steps are required to enable you to establish the centre of the Faith in Frankfurt. Your task is immense, the obstacles formidable, the need of your fellow countrymen for the healing truths of the Faith urgent and pitiful, the promised help from on high ready and assured, if you persevere in your task and arise to discharge befittingly your responsibilities. The considerable sums accumulated in Ṭihrán will aid you to extend the scope of your activities and to consolidate your achievements. You should, though these sums have not yet reached you, embark on great projects, and devise, after careful deliberation, effective methods for the propagation of our beloved Faith. I am following the progress of your highly important activities with intense interest. You are, I assure you, often in my thoughts and prayers, and I will continue to supplicate for you the Master’s richest blessings.Rest assured, persevere, and be happy.Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiLetter of 31 July 194631 July 1946Dear Bahá’í-Brother:Your letter of July 1st was received by our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He was delighted to hear of the Bahá’í wedding which recently took place in your Community of Stuttgart Bahá’ís and he thanks all the dear friends who were present, whose names you forwarded to him on the list enclosed in your letter, for their greetings and their loving thought of him.In connection with the National Administrative Center of the Faith being in Frankfurt, he wishes to point out to you the following:This is a purely practical measure because Frankfurt a/M is so much more centrally located than Stuttgart in the south of Germany. The dear friends of Stuttgart must not for a moment feel that this detracts from the unique place their city occupies in the history of the Faith in Germany.It is very similar to what has happened in the United States; ‘Abdu’l-Bahá conferred many honours on New York and called it the “City of the Covenant”, but this did not prevent Chicago from being chosen as the National Administrative Headquarters owing to its central position in America.The Stuttgart friends should do all in their power to foster the development of this Administrative Headquarters in Frankfurt, and to ensure its success, as this is what is best for the development of the Faith in Germany. But you can be sure Stuttgart holds a unique position and has received from the Master Himself unique distinction.It is probable, but not certain, that the first Temple will also, for the same reason, be in Frankfurt. The publishing work, likewise, should be there in the future, but at present its location is for the N.S.A. to decide.He was very pleased to hear you are requiring all Bahá’ís to withdraw from church membership and similar organizations; he considers your Community the mother community in spirit, and is confident it will continue to lead the way in its exemplary conduct.You may be sure his loving prayers will be offered for the success of the teaching and administrative work of the Stuttgart believers...P.S. In the future Stuttgart must naturally have its own administrative headquarters for that city, and he hopes you will soon have found a suitable meeting place.[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:I was so pleased to receive your most welcome letter. The friends in that centre are very dear and near to me, and I cherish the brightest hopes for their future in the service of our beloved Faith. The Beloved poured forth His manifold blessings upon them and greatly admired their spirit. May His Spirit continue to guide, sustain and bless them in their future services and high endeavors for the promotion of His Faith.Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiLetter of 22 November 194622 November 1946Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your most welcome letter of Aug. 21st reached our beloved Guardian after a long delay, as you can see, but brought him great joy. He has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.He is fully aware of the very sad and difficult conditions under which you are labouring to reestablish the spiritual well-being of the German and Austrian believers, but he feels confident that your great faith, determination and devotion will enable you to achieve your ends and the aid of Bahá’u’lláh is surely vouchsafed you as you serve His Cause and seek to bring enlightenment and inner comfort to the war-weary German people.In connection with the various points you raise in your letter:He is very anxious to see the “Sonne der Wahrheit” published again; as it will greatly assist you in sustaining and guiding the German believers and in teaching other German-speaking people. He urges you to go on petitioning the U.S. authorities for permission to resume this important activity.That so many members of the former “Bahá’í World Union” should now be seeking enrollment as believers greatly pleases him, and he feels you should by all means accept them as registered Bahá’ís, unless you yourselves have any reason to question some individuals’ sincerity.He would like to receive regularly the minutes of your assembly’s meetings in German; it is not necessary to translate the whole thing each time, but if a short summary of the important points could also be sent in English he would appreciate it.The flourishing activities of the Bahá’í Summer School at Esslingen greatly pleased him, and he is so happy to see the way the friends have not only protected this Bahá’í Home during the long years of war and persecution, but immediately rallied around it again and made it once more a source of unity and a center of Bahá’í study.The long sessions of your National Assembly meetings are very essential for the promotion of the work in Germany and the rehabilitation of the affairs of the Cause there. In your meetings he urges you to give considerable attention to carrying out the following very important tasks: It is of the utmost importance that the friends be well supplied with not only Bahá’í literature, but with a regular Bahá’í News letter—the organ of your assembly—and also with their own magazine, the “Sonne der Wahrheit”. He therefore urges you all to persevere in pushing these publication matters forward. Needless to say the translation work must also go on uninterruptedly and receive first attention, as there is now a wealth of Bahá’í literature in English for you to draw upon and which is much needed by the German friends to help deepen their understanding of the Divine Cause, and better enable them to teach it.The teaching work is, of course, the most important of all. He has been very encouraged to see the efforts the friends are making in the U.S. Zone and to hear of the good results they are achieving. But the primary responsibility for this great work rests on your assembly, and you must devise as many ways and means as possible for prosecuting your teaching plans on a wide scale and covering a wide field. Now that your country is in such a state of despair, and the people have suffered so deeply, their hearts are more receptive, as you pointed out in your letter, and therefore at this time they must be approached with the Divine Message before internal integration and new problems or new possibilities arise to sidetrack their attention. He hopes that you will continually urge the friends to arise and teach, that you will devise ways and means (such as the summer-school and various conferences, committees, etc.) of training more of them—particularly the youth—as public speakers and teachers and, in short, leave no stone unturned in prosecuting this major task.Hand in hand with this intensification of the teaching work must go the multiplication of groups and their development into Spiritual assemblies.Another important matter to which he wishes to draw your special attention is that of the Nat. Bahá’í Headquarters in Frankfurt. He fully realizes the obstacles which must be overcome in order to carry out this historic project, but feels sure that Bahá’u’lláh will help and guide you to find a suitable spot and make preliminary arrangements. Ten thousand pounds is now reposing in the special fund he has established in Ṭihrán for the rehabilitation of the Faith in Germany and the relief of the dear friends there. A considerable part of this he himself has contributed to this community which both the Master and he love so dearly—so you see the means to help you carry out the many great tasks confronting you are there. He is most anxious that this money should reach you, and hopes ways can soon be found of sending it to your assembly; you should constantly bear this in mind, and let him know of any possible means you find of transmitting this sum.I need not assure you of how dear your work is to the heart of our Guardian, of how eagerly he receives news of your activities, of how much he appreciates your many self-sacrificing and exhausting labours for the promotion of our beloved Cause! You are very often remembered in his prayers, and he feels sure that the Master is extending you His own aid in serving His Faith in that country He loved so much....[From the Guardian:]Dearly-beloved co-workers:It is such a joy, mingled with feelings of deep thankfulness to Bahá’u’lláh, to be able to resume direct correspondence with the elected national representatives of a community that has achieved so much in the past for our Faith, that has been so dearly loved by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and is destined to spread, as He foretold, the light of God’s sacred Revelation not only in the heart of Europe but throughout that dark, war-devastated spiritually famished continent. Now that the shackles imposed upon that community have been removed, and its chief and central administrative institution is again vigorously functioning, a concerted, sustained and systematic effort must be made, not only by its members, but by the rank and file of its supporters throughout that land, to expand, multiply and consolidate the community’s nascent institutions, widen, considerably and rapidly, the range of its literature, establish, firmly and definitely, in however rudimentary a form its national headquarters in Frankfurt situated in the heart of that country, reinforce and develop the work assigned to its national committees, revitalize its summer-schools and other subsidiary institutions, maintain and develop its contact, through correspondence, with national and local administrative bodies throughout the Bahá’í world, devise effective measures for the proclamation, boldly and determinedly, of the message to the masses, fortify and enrich its corporate life and lay an unassailable foundation for its future development. The task is immense, the opportunities are priceless and manifold, the hour is critical and challenging, the promises given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are clear, unmistakable, and soul-refreshing, His assistance ready and unfailing. All that is required, in thanksgiving for the protection vouchsafed to this community by Bahá’u’lláh is to arise with courage, high resolve and clear vision, to carry out the immediate task in its entirety, and thus prepare the way for the opening of a new and still more glorious chapter in the history of the evolution of the Faith in that land. I pray from all my heart for the speedy and complete realization of the high hopes I cherish for that dearly-beloved, long-suffering, richly blessed community.Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiLetter of 18 February 1947 (Summer School)18 February 1947 (Summer School)Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter sent to our beloved Guardian from the Esslingen Bahá’í Summer School session of August 1946, brought him great joy, and he has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.It is wonderful to see that the German believers are not only free at last to meet and propagate the Faith of God, but that they are also receiving public recognition from officials, and that their numbers are constantly swelling!All the sufferings the German believers have endured are not in vain; they now see before them many, many of their fellow-countrymen ripe to receive the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, which, some of them, in the past, would never have listened to for a moment.Now is the time to teach the Cause of God in Germany as never before; in spite of the hardships you are all undergoing, you must be active in building up new Bahá’í Assemblies while the people are still seeking some spiritual food. We do not know what their spiritual condition will be like in the future when their physical lives are once again more stable and secure—so we must seize this golden opportunity, and make every sacrifice to rapidly spread the Divine Message in Germany now.He will pray for you all, that God may bless, aid and guide you....[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:I was deeply touched by your message, and I greatly value the sentiments you have expressed, and the efforts you exert for the promotion of our beloved Faith. I will pray for your success from the depths of my heart. Rest assured, and persevere in your high and meritorious endeavours.Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiLetter of 22 February 194722 February 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letters dated Sept. 24th, Oct. 1st and Nov. 12th, 1946, have all been received, as well as the interesting reports you enclosed with them, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He was delighted to see that such large study classes are being held in Esslingen, and that so many people are becoming students of the Faith. The German believers must concentrate all their efforts on teaching the Cause, as at the present time there are many truth-seekers; in the future it may be more difficult to reach the people.The Summer School was also a great success this year, and our Guardian was very happy to see so many attended and that the activities of the Bahá’ís are now receiving public approval, after so many years of persecution!You may be sure his loving prayers are offered for the success of your devoted services to the Cause of God....[From the Guardian:]May the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh sustain, guide and bless your meritorious efforts, aid you to render notable services to our beloved Cause, and consolidate its new-born and God-given institutions,Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiLetter of 26 February 194726 February 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated Sept. 25th, 1946, was received, as well as the minutes of your meeting of Nov. 2nd and 3rd., and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.Regarding the question of Herr Jörn: Smoking is not forbidden by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; He advises against it for reasons of health, but we have no right to prevent anyone from smoking. But drinking and the use of drugs are strictly forbidden and the Bahá’ís should obey this command.The Guardian has received a number of letters from the Bahá’ís of ..., and in the interest of promoting unity among the friends in Germany he is going to write them instructing them to cooperate with and obey your Assembly; he feels that you should send capable Bahá’ís there to teach them and strengthen them in the Faith, and to make sure no political elements are allowed to enter into their discussions or be a part of their group.He has recently had fifteen hundred dollars sent from the Relief Fund in Ṭihrán to America for the immediate purchase of food parcels for the German and Austrian Bahá’ís, and hopes these will soon reach them. It is very distressing that so much money over ten thousand pounds (£10.000) should be held in the name of the German friends, and yet no way of sending it be found. He hopes your Assembly will make every effort to arrange for this money to be received in Germany.He is also very anxious to receive news of exactly what is happening about the National Bahá’í Headquarters in Frankfurt; he gathers from your minutes that negotiations are in progress for a building in that city? He attaches great importance to this undertaking, and urges you to press the matter constantly.The reports he received of the young peoples’ Summer School and the Summer School at Esslingen were most encouraging, and he is delighted to see that in spite of so many handicaps the friends are so devoted and active! He was also very happy to note that new spiritual assemblies are in the process of formation, and hopes you will concentrate on their establishment and the formation of many new groups. In spite of the conditions in Germany it is of the utmost importance to teach the Cause as widely as possible, especially to the youth, now that through suffering and disillusionment the hearts of the people are more receptive.You may be sure that his ardent and loving prayers are offered for each and every one of you, and for the success of your devoted labours for the Cause of God....[From the Guardian:]Dearly-beloved friends:The revival and rapid consolidation of the German Bahá’í community after the prolonged and terrible ordeals to which it has been subjected is a striking evidence of the irresistible power of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, as well as a magnificent testimony to the vitality of the faith of the German believers. I feel proud and profoundly thankful for the loyalty, the perseverance, the resolution, the unity, the zeal and the devotion which characterize their collective efforts and corporate life in the service of this glorious Cause. The prompt establishment of the national Hazíratu’l-Quds in the city of Frankfurt; the rapid translation, publication and dissemination of Bahá’í literature; the multiplication of Bahá’í centers, whether groups or assemblies; the consolidation of the institution of the Summer School; the initiation of effective measures aimed at a close collaboration with the American European Teaching committee; the proclamation of the teachings of the Faith to the spiritually famished, the disillusioned and longsuffering masses—these stand out as the primary and urgent tasks that demand the immediate, the earnest and undivided attention of your assembly. I will pray for your success from the depths of my heart and feel confident that the dearly-beloved heroic German believers will arise, as one man and despite the obstacles confronting them, to achieve these immediate tasks that constitute only a prelude to the tremendous enterprises which it is their destiny to accomplish in the years to come.Your true brother,ShoghiLetter of 4 June 1947 (Convention)4 June 1947 (Convention)Dear Bahá’í Friends:It was with great joy that our beloved Guardian received your loving message dated April 26th, and signed by so many of the dear believers. He has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.The re-florescence of the Holy and beloved Faith in Germany, after so many bitter years of suppression and suffering, has brought great happiness to not only his heart but to the hearts of the Bahá’ís all over the world.That you should be able, in relatively so short a period of time, and in the face of so many obstacles, to reconstitute your assemblies and National Assembly, be in a position to elect new assemblies, and to hold your Summer School and various conferences, all point the way to a brilliant future for the German followers of the Cause of God.He urges you individually and collectively to teach the Faith constantly to your spiritually starved countrymen, to support and assist your National Assembly in carrying out its heavy responsibilities and to do all in your power to hasten the day when a befitting National Headquarters, situated in Frankfurt a.M., will have been purchased and established, one that will be commensurate with the importance of the German Bahá’í Community, the strongest and largest on the Continent of Europe.You may rest assured that his loving and ardent prayers are offered for your progress and success in the Holy Shrines....[From the Guardian:]Dearly beloved friends and co-workers:I was deeply touched by your message, and I greatly value the sentiments you have expressed, the zeal and unity you demonstrate, the deeds you accomplish, the plans you have conceived, and above all the spirit you so powerfully manifest in your diligent labours for the spread and consolidation of our beloved Faith in your promising country. The German Bahá’í community, emerging triumphantly from one of the severest ordeals that have afflicted any of its sister-communities in East or West, now stands on the threshold of a new era in its development. Great tasks confront it. The establishment of a befitting administrative centre in the heart of that country, the multiplication of groups and assemblies, the dissemination of Bahá’í literature and the proclamation of the Faith to the masses are among the most urgent, the most vital and outstanding of these tasks. The entire community, however difficult the present circumstances, must arise and carry them out. Its future as prophecied by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is glorious. Its spirit is magnificent. Its members are distinguished among the followers of the Faith throughout the world by their tenacity, their thoroughness, their great capacity and resourcefulness. Our beloved Master, who watches over them, has greatly praised them, loves them dearly, is ready to bless their labours and reinforce their exertions. Its members must rise to the height of their present and priceless opportunity. They will, I feel confident, prove themselves worthy of the great blessings showered upon them in the past by their Lord and Master.Affectionately,ShoghiLetter of 19 June 194719 June 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your loving message, sent to our beloved Guardian on the occasion of the celebration of his twenty-five years of Guardianship, reached him and touched him very much indeed.He feels a special affection for the Esslingen Community, as it is not only one of the oldest ones in Germany but he associates it with the important Summer School held in its neighbourhood.Your love for and devotion to our glorious Faith are greatly appreciated, and the many services that members of your Community have rendered, and are rendering it, deeply valued.He assures you all he will pray for the success of your labours in the Holy Shrines, and that Bahá’u’lláh may increase your numbers and richly bless you all....[From the Guardian:]May the Beloved bless your efforts, guide your steps, remove every obstacle that impedes the growth of your Community, and assist you to proclaim the truths of His Faith and consolidate its institutions,Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiLetter of 24 June 194724 June 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter, dated June 16th, has been received, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.He can quite well understand that after so many years of isolation from the rest of the Bahá’í world it came as a surprise to some of you to hear that we, as Bahá’ís, must not have any affiliations with churches or political parties. But he feels certain that when you meditate on this matter you yourselves will see the wisdom of it. We, as Bahá’ís, can never be known as hypocrites or as people insincere in their protestations and because of this we cannot subscribe to both the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and ordinary church dogma. The churches are waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ; we believe He has come again in the Glory of the Father. The churches teach doctrines—various ones in various creeds—which we as Bahá’ís do not accept; such as the bodily Resurrection, confession, or, in some creeds, the denial of the Immaculate Conception. In other words there is no Christian church today whose dogmas we, as Bahá’ís can truthfully say we accept in their entirety—therefore to remain a member of the Church is not proper for us, for we do so under false pretences. We should, therefore, withdraw from our churches but continue to associate, if we wish to, with the church members and ministers.Our belief in Christ, as Bahá’ís, is so firm, so unshakable and so exalted in nature that very few Christians are to be found nowadays who love Him and reverence Him and have the faith in Him that we have. It is only from the dogmas and creeds of the churches that we dissociate ourselves; not from the spirit of Christianity.Very much the same reasons motivate us in withdrawing from all political movements, however close some of their ideals may be to ours. We Bahá’ís are one the world-over, we are seeking to build up a New World Order, Divine in origin. How can we do this if every Bahá’í is a member of a different political party—some of them diametrically opposed to each other? Where is our unity then? We would be divided because of politics, against ourselves, and this is the opposite of our purpose. Obviously if one Bahá’í in Austria, is given freedom to choose a political party and join it, however good its aims may be, another Bahá’í in Japan, or America or India, has the right to do the same thing, and he might belong to a party the very opposite in principle to that which the Austrian Bahá’í belongs to. Where would be the unity of the Faith then? These two spiritual brothers would be working against each other, because of their political affiliations (as the Christians of Europe have been doing in so many fratricidal wars).The best way for a Bahá’í to serve his country and the world is to work for the establishment of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order, which will gradually unite all men and do away with divisive political systems and religious creeds.He does not force you to do this at once; but urges you all to decide to withdraw from your churches and political groups within, say, a year, and then to help each other to do this. You will find your spiritual strength greater for taking this step.Please assure dear Mrs. Schwarz of his loving prayers on her behalf.He will also pray for you all in the Holy Shrines, and urges you to persevere in your services to our beloved Faith....[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:I was so pleased to receive your message and so thankful for the evidences of devotion, of determination and love it contained. The Austrian believers are dear and near to my heart, and I deeply sympathize with them in the ordeal and tribulations which they have suffered, and which have demonstrated the quality of their faith and the depth of their devotion. The funds accumulated for their relief and for the development of the Faith in their land will, I trust, be soon forwarded to them, and will no doubt greatly contribute to the rehabilitation and growth of their beloved community. Persevere in your meritorious labours, and rest assured that you are often in my thoughts and prayers, and that I will continue to supplicate for you all the Master’s richest blessings.Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiP.S. He feels that the German and Austrian believers are one in language and that the Austrian friends should consider the N.G.R. as their National Assembly, the same as before the war. We are Bahá’ís and have no nationalistic feelings in such matters. Our ties are purely spiritual. But you can consult the European Teaching Committee if the NGR is too difficult at present. The Guardian wishes you to know that as soon as there are a sufficient number of Bahá’í assemblies in Austria she will naturally have her own NGR.Letter of 27 September 1947 (Summer School)27 September 1947 (Summer School)Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letters to our beloved Guardian reached him through Mr. ..., and he was delighted to see that so many believers had been able to attend the school at Esslingen this summer.It shows the vitality of the German Bahá’ís and their intense desire to further the interests of our glorious Faith in Germany, and build up its institutions.He urges you all, in your work for the Cause in your local Communities, to stress the need for the greatest love and unity amongst the Bahá’ís themselves. It is this love and spiritual solidarity that is so sadly lacking in the world today, and for which its people are starving. When they see within the Bahá’í Community the true spirit of brotherhood exemplified, they will turn to Bahá’u’lláh and embrace His Message.He also urges you to exert yourselves ceaselessly in the teaching field, and build up new Bahá’í centers, establish new spiritual assemblies, and convert the existing groups into assemblies by April of next year.The Cause, we know, has a great future in Germany, and he assures you all he is constantly praying for the success of your devoted labours....[From the Guardian:]Dear co-workers:Your messages, eloquently testifying to the dynamic faith which inspires and sustains the German Bahá’í Community, now triumphantly emerging from its long and severe ordeal, rejoiced my heart, and served to deepen my feelings of affection and admiration for its members. You who now stand on the threshold of a new era, have great tasks ahead of you and a glorious mission to fulfil. The institutions you are now initiating and developing will no doubt enable you to achieve speedily and effectively your goal. The Beloved is watching over you. His love surrounds you, and His spirit sustains and guides you. Persevere in your glorious task. Rest assured that my prayers will continue to be offered on your behalf, and be confident that Bahá’u’lláh will aid you to achieve ultimate victory.ShoghiLetter of 24 October 194724 October 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letters to our beloved Guardian, dated Dec. 4th, 1946, Jan. 6th, March 19th, June 15th, Aug. 27th and Sept. 28th, 1947, have all been received, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf. He has also received a letter, on behalf of your secretary, written by Dr. Köller-Jager, and enclosing an English translation of your minutes. This was dated March 13th.In regard to the various matters you have raised in these letters:He noted the report of Mrs Grossmann about her meeting with the grandchild of Subh-i-Azal. He feels that the friends should as much as possible avoid her, as it is very unlikely she has anything but prejudice against Bahá’u’lláh, in view of her background.He deeply appreciated the message of love and loyalty you sent him on the occasion of the celebration of twenty-five years of Guardianship.He is extremely pleased to see the way the Cause is spreading in Germany, and the steady growth in the number of the assemblies there. This would be a remarkable achievement under normal circumstances, but in view of the weakened state of the health of the Bahá’ís and the hardships they and their countrymen are undergoing, it is little short of heroic. The Bahá’ís everywhere are watching the labours of their German brothers and sisters with deep admiration.Concerning your question about forming Spiritual Assemblies this year as soon as circumstances permit, and without waiting until April 21st, 1948: he does not think this advisable. In order to encourage the German friends, so long oppressed and prevented from serving, he made an exception last year, but this year he feels all assemblies should wait until April to hold their elections. He has recently advised the European Teaching Committee to do likewise, as some of the pioneers were eager to form assemblies as soon as 9 Bahá’ís existed in a city of one of the goal countries!He is pleased to hear you have strengthened and assisted the Nuremberg Bahá’ís, and that there are now so many there. Also he is glad to hear you are protecting them and the Cause from the misrepresentations and ambitions of Mr. ... Great vigilance and wisdom is required in such matters.Regarding the publication of books for use in Germany in Switzerland: he feels that this is out of the question at present, owing to the fact that the exchange of Persian into Swiss money, (providing it could be made at all), would be prohibitively expensive. You would lose far too much this way. He, therefore, suggests that you get in touch with Mr. David Hofman of England, who is a publisher in a small way, and very anxious to be of help in printing Bahá’í Literature. He is a member of the British N.S.A., and if you arrange some satisfactory way of having him print books or booklets for you, it will be easier and cheaper to transfer some of the money from Ṭihrán, for this purpose, to England. The Guardian has already written Mr. Hofman he favours his doing this, if you and he can agree.Unfortunately, owing to the fall in the value of the pound, the conversion of Persian money into American dollars involves considerable loss. In view of this the Guardian is going to instruct Mr. Varqá in Ṭihrán to send to the American N.S.A. five hundred pounds for the purpose of buying Care Packages, which will be sent to you for your use in securing the National Headquarters.There is, in the special Fund held in Ṭihrán on behalf of your assembly, about ten thousand pounds. He feels you should spend a third of this on your National Headquarters. But, as mentioned above, he advises you to try and go ahead with the preliminary arrangements through using five hundred pounds in Care packages, and thus not lose too much of this money through the poor exchange at this time.He leaves details of this matter to the discretion of your assembly, and hopes you will keep him informed of what action you have taken, and of the progress made in obtaining the National Headquarters.He assures you all of his admiration for your steadfast labours to protect and promote every interest of our beloved Faith in Germany, and of his loving and ardent prayers for the success of your work....[From the Guardian:]Dearly-beloved Friends:The spirit which the entire body of the German believers have displayed, despite the hardships and trials which they have heroically endured, and are still enduring, is a magnificent example to their fellow-workers in both the East and the West, a source of great inspiration to me, and a magnet that will powerfully attract the blessings of the Almighty. My thoughts, though I myself am immersed in an ocean of work and preoccupations, often turn in loving admiration and gratitude to those who, for more than a decade, have in the face of constant peril, held fast to the Faith of God, who have survived the greatest ordeal that has ever afflicted the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in the West, and who are now forging ahead, united, resolved and consecrated, in the path leading to still greater victories.I rejoice to learn of the preliminary steps that are being taken to enable the dearly beloved and highly promising German Bahá’í Community to own its first National Hazíratu’l-Quds in the heart of that sorely-tried country. The utmost effort should be exerted to complete the present negotiations, and to initiate the national activities in that centre. I will, for my part, assist in any way possible, your assembly, in the historic enterprise which it has launched, and feel confident that the Beloved will bless your efforts, fulfil your highest expectations in this vital sphere of Bahá’í activity.The dissemination of Bahá’í literature, is moreover, a matter of vital importance, which must be promoted by every means at your disposal. The multiplication of Bahá’í centres, the formation of new assemblies, the consolidation of newly-established groups, constitute, likewise, the primary objective of your assembly, demanding constant exertion, watchfulness and guidance on your part, as well as full support and still greater sacrifice by the rank and file of the believers.The promotion of the interests of the Austrian believers, owing to their proximity to your country, their past association with you and their practical isolation from the Bahá’í centres in East and West, should be regarded as one of your outstanding tasks, and I trust that every obstacle will be surmounted, enabling you to enrich thereby the record of your distinguished services to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.The path you are treading is hard and stony and beset with many pitfalls. The tasks you are called upon to discharge are varied, complex, urgent and gigantic. The resources at your disposal are meagre. The hour, however, for raising the call of Bahá’u’lláh is propitious. The hearts of your countrymen, prepared by bewilderment and suffering, are ready to respond to His message. You stand at the threshold of a new and glorious era in the evolution of His Faith in that land. The opportunities of the present hour are priceless and may never recur again. Time is pressing. The eyes of your fellow-workers in both Hemispheres are fixed upon you. Our beloved Master who showered, through His visit and His messages to you, so much love and encouragement and so many blessings, is watching over you from on high, ready to sustain your efforts and lead you on to victory.That you may rise to still greater heights of heroism, that you may discharge befittingly your sacred responsibilities, that you may adorn the annals of your Faith with still greater evidences of your devotion, courage and perseverance, that you may achieve your high destiny as the torch-bearers of the light of Divine Guidance to the neighbouring countries in that continent, is the object of my fervent prayers at the holy shrines, and the dearest wish of my heart.Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

Letter of 4 May 19464 May 1946Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter of March 17th (the copy of which Mr. Eichenauer also forwarded) has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He is very anxious for the young Bahá’ís, everywhere, to deepen their knowledge of the teachings, of Bahá’í administration and laws, and to live an exemplary Bahá’í life in order to prepare themselves for their work in the Cause as teachers and administrators. They are the ones who will toil in the glorious and difficult days that lie ahead, and they must now fit themselves to be worthy of their future high responsibilities and duties.He assures you all he will pray for your services, your progress and development, in the Holy Shrines, and he cherishes great hopes for your future....[From the Guardian:]Dear co-workers:My heart rejoiced and my soul was refreshed at the receipt of your most welcome message, signed by so great a number of ardent and youthful co-workers in a land so rich in promise, so blessed by our Beloved, and so severely tried by the vicissitudes of war. You are, I assure you, often in my thoughts and prayers, and I cherish the brightest hopes for your future work. You are, I feel confident, destined to achieve memorable victories, both in your native land and on the continent of Europe, and you should diligently and unitedly prepare yourselves for this glorious task. Persevere, redouble your efforts, and rest assured that the Beloved will bless and sustain you always.Your true brother,ShoghiLetter of 30 July 194630 July 1946Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter of June 29th, with its translation, was received, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.He was so very happy to hear from your Assembly after all these years, since that important institution was disbanded, and hopes from time to time you will send him reports of your work.As regards the question you asked him: he feels that the Bahá’ís in Germany should, by all means, follow the same procedure as regards withdrawing from church membership as that in America. You should point out to the believers that, by belonging to other organized religious bodies, we are not acting openly because we firmly believe Christ has come again—so how can we belong to a church which does not accept Bahá’u’lláh and His message as the fulfilment of Jesus’ message and the reappearance of Jesus Himself?He is very anxious that ways should be found for you to receive the money collected in Ṭihrán and spend it on the Cause and its institutions in Germany. The eagerness of the people to hear of the Faith imposes a sacred duty on all the German Bahá’ís to see that they are not denied this Divine Revelation in their hour of need.You may be sure the Guardian will do all he can to assist you, and his ardent prayers are offered on your behalf, for your assistance, your guidance, and the success of your sacred labours to give to Germany the news of this precious Faith’s existence, and to administer with wisdom the affairs of the Cause there.He urges you to hold as frequent meetings as possible, and, in cooperation with the American N.S.A. to get as much literature printed and disseminated as you can....[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:Your letter brought great joy to my heart. I rejoice to hear of the formation of your assembly, the cornerstone of the foundation of the Faith in that land. I urge you to consult and deliberate as frequently as you can on the affairs of the Faith, devise the most effective measures for its spread, extend the range of Bahá’í publications, and the friends to scatter as widely as they can in order to multiply the centres and establish new assemblies, extend any assistance you can to the friends in Vienna and take whatever steps are required to enable you to establish the centre of the Faith in Frankfurt. Your task is immense, the obstacles formidable, the need of your fellow countrymen for the healing truths of the Faith urgent and pitiful, the promised help from on high ready and assured, if you persevere in your task and arise to discharge befittingly your responsibilities. The considerable sums accumulated in Ṭihrán will aid you to extend the scope of your activities and to consolidate your achievements. You should, though these sums have not yet reached you, embark on great projects, and devise, after careful deliberation, effective methods for the propagation of our beloved Faith. I am following the progress of your highly important activities with intense interest. You are, I assure you, often in my thoughts and prayers, and I will continue to supplicate for you the Master’s richest blessings.Rest assured, persevere, and be happy.Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiLetter of 31 July 194631 July 1946Dear Bahá’í-Brother:Your letter of July 1st was received by our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He was delighted to hear of the Bahá’í wedding which recently took place in your Community of Stuttgart Bahá’ís and he thanks all the dear friends who were present, whose names you forwarded to him on the list enclosed in your letter, for their greetings and their loving thought of him.In connection with the National Administrative Center of the Faith being in Frankfurt, he wishes to point out to you the following:This is a purely practical measure because Frankfurt a/M is so much more centrally located than Stuttgart in the south of Germany. The dear friends of Stuttgart must not for a moment feel that this detracts from the unique place their city occupies in the history of the Faith in Germany.It is very similar to what has happened in the United States; ‘Abdu’l-Bahá conferred many honours on New York and called it the “City of the Covenant”, but this did not prevent Chicago from being chosen as the National Administrative Headquarters owing to its central position in America.The Stuttgart friends should do all in their power to foster the development of this Administrative Headquarters in Frankfurt, and to ensure its success, as this is what is best for the development of the Faith in Germany. But you can be sure Stuttgart holds a unique position and has received from the Master Himself unique distinction.It is probable, but not certain, that the first Temple will also, for the same reason, be in Frankfurt. The publishing work, likewise, should be there in the future, but at present its location is for the N.S.A. to decide.He was very pleased to hear you are requiring all Bahá’ís to withdraw from church membership and similar organizations; he considers your Community the mother community in spirit, and is confident it will continue to lead the way in its exemplary conduct.You may be sure his loving prayers will be offered for the success of the teaching and administrative work of the Stuttgart believers...P.S. In the future Stuttgart must naturally have its own administrative headquarters for that city, and he hopes you will soon have found a suitable meeting place.[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:I was so pleased to receive your most welcome letter. The friends in that centre are very dear and near to me, and I cherish the brightest hopes for their future in the service of our beloved Faith. The Beloved poured forth His manifold blessings upon them and greatly admired their spirit. May His Spirit continue to guide, sustain and bless them in their future services and high endeavors for the promotion of His Faith.Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiLetter of 22 November 194622 November 1946Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your most welcome letter of Aug. 21st reached our beloved Guardian after a long delay, as you can see, but brought him great joy. He has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.He is fully aware of the very sad and difficult conditions under which you are labouring to reestablish the spiritual well-being of the German and Austrian believers, but he feels confident that your great faith, determination and devotion will enable you to achieve your ends and the aid of Bahá’u’lláh is surely vouchsafed you as you serve His Cause and seek to bring enlightenment and inner comfort to the war-weary German people.In connection with the various points you raise in your letter:He is very anxious to see the “Sonne der Wahrheit” published again; as it will greatly assist you in sustaining and guiding the German believers and in teaching other German-speaking people. He urges you to go on petitioning the U.S. authorities for permission to resume this important activity.That so many members of the former “Bahá’í World Union” should now be seeking enrollment as believers greatly pleases him, and he feels you should by all means accept them as registered Bahá’ís, unless you yourselves have any reason to question some individuals’ sincerity.He would like to receive regularly the minutes of your assembly’s meetings in German; it is not necessary to translate the whole thing each time, but if a short summary of the important points could also be sent in English he would appreciate it.The flourishing activities of the Bahá’í Summer School at Esslingen greatly pleased him, and he is so happy to see the way the friends have not only protected this Bahá’í Home during the long years of war and persecution, but immediately rallied around it again and made it once more a source of unity and a center of Bahá’í study.The long sessions of your National Assembly meetings are very essential for the promotion of the work in Germany and the rehabilitation of the affairs of the Cause there. In your meetings he urges you to give considerable attention to carrying out the following very important tasks: It is of the utmost importance that the friends be well supplied with not only Bahá’í literature, but with a regular Bahá’í News letter—the organ of your assembly—and also with their own magazine, the “Sonne der Wahrheit”. He therefore urges you all to persevere in pushing these publication matters forward. Needless to say the translation work must also go on uninterruptedly and receive first attention, as there is now a wealth of Bahá’í literature in English for you to draw upon and which is much needed by the German friends to help deepen their understanding of the Divine Cause, and better enable them to teach it.The teaching work is, of course, the most important of all. He has been very encouraged to see the efforts the friends are making in the U.S. Zone and to hear of the good results they are achieving. But the primary responsibility for this great work rests on your assembly, and you must devise as many ways and means as possible for prosecuting your teaching plans on a wide scale and covering a wide field. Now that your country is in such a state of despair, and the people have suffered so deeply, their hearts are more receptive, as you pointed out in your letter, and therefore at this time they must be approached with the Divine Message before internal integration and new problems or new possibilities arise to sidetrack their attention. He hopes that you will continually urge the friends to arise and teach, that you will devise ways and means (such as the summer-school and various conferences, committees, etc.) of training more of them—particularly the youth—as public speakers and teachers and, in short, leave no stone unturned in prosecuting this major task.Hand in hand with this intensification of the teaching work must go the multiplication of groups and their development into Spiritual assemblies.Another important matter to which he wishes to draw your special attention is that of the Nat. Bahá’í Headquarters in Frankfurt. He fully realizes the obstacles which must be overcome in order to carry out this historic project, but feels sure that Bahá’u’lláh will help and guide you to find a suitable spot and make preliminary arrangements. Ten thousand pounds is now reposing in the special fund he has established in Ṭihrán for the rehabilitation of the Faith in Germany and the relief of the dear friends there. A considerable part of this he himself has contributed to this community which both the Master and he love so dearly—so you see the means to help you carry out the many great tasks confronting you are there. He is most anxious that this money should reach you, and hopes ways can soon be found of sending it to your assembly; you should constantly bear this in mind, and let him know of any possible means you find of transmitting this sum.I need not assure you of how dear your work is to the heart of our Guardian, of how eagerly he receives news of your activities, of how much he appreciates your many self-sacrificing and exhausting labours for the promotion of our beloved Cause! You are very often remembered in his prayers, and he feels sure that the Master is extending you His own aid in serving His Faith in that country He loved so much....[From the Guardian:]Dearly-beloved co-workers:It is such a joy, mingled with feelings of deep thankfulness to Bahá’u’lláh, to be able to resume direct correspondence with the elected national representatives of a community that has achieved so much in the past for our Faith, that has been so dearly loved by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and is destined to spread, as He foretold, the light of God’s sacred Revelation not only in the heart of Europe but throughout that dark, war-devastated spiritually famished continent. Now that the shackles imposed upon that community have been removed, and its chief and central administrative institution is again vigorously functioning, a concerted, sustained and systematic effort must be made, not only by its members, but by the rank and file of its supporters throughout that land, to expand, multiply and consolidate the community’s nascent institutions, widen, considerably and rapidly, the range of its literature, establish, firmly and definitely, in however rudimentary a form its national headquarters in Frankfurt situated in the heart of that country, reinforce and develop the work assigned to its national committees, revitalize its summer-schools and other subsidiary institutions, maintain and develop its contact, through correspondence, with national and local administrative bodies throughout the Bahá’í world, devise effective measures for the proclamation, boldly and determinedly, of the message to the masses, fortify and enrich its corporate life and lay an unassailable foundation for its future development. The task is immense, the opportunities are priceless and manifold, the hour is critical and challenging, the promises given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are clear, unmistakable, and soul-refreshing, His assistance ready and unfailing. All that is required, in thanksgiving for the protection vouchsafed to this community by Bahá’u’lláh is to arise with courage, high resolve and clear vision, to carry out the immediate task in its entirety, and thus prepare the way for the opening of a new and still more glorious chapter in the history of the evolution of the Faith in that land. I pray from all my heart for the speedy and complete realization of the high hopes I cherish for that dearly-beloved, long-suffering, richly blessed community.Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiLetter of 18 February 1947 (Summer School)18 February 1947 (Summer School)Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter sent to our beloved Guardian from the Esslingen Bahá’í Summer School session of August 1946, brought him great joy, and he has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.It is wonderful to see that the German believers are not only free at last to meet and propagate the Faith of God, but that they are also receiving public recognition from officials, and that their numbers are constantly swelling!All the sufferings the German believers have endured are not in vain; they now see before them many, many of their fellow-countrymen ripe to receive the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, which, some of them, in the past, would never have listened to for a moment.Now is the time to teach the Cause of God in Germany as never before; in spite of the hardships you are all undergoing, you must be active in building up new Bahá’í Assemblies while the people are still seeking some spiritual food. We do not know what their spiritual condition will be like in the future when their physical lives are once again more stable and secure—so we must seize this golden opportunity, and make every sacrifice to rapidly spread the Divine Message in Germany now.He will pray for you all, that God may bless, aid and guide you....[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:I was deeply touched by your message, and I greatly value the sentiments you have expressed, and the efforts you exert for the promotion of our beloved Faith. I will pray for your success from the depths of my heart. Rest assured, and persevere in your high and meritorious endeavours.Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiLetter of 22 February 194722 February 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letters dated Sept. 24th, Oct. 1st and Nov. 12th, 1946, have all been received, as well as the interesting reports you enclosed with them, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He was delighted to see that such large study classes are being held in Esslingen, and that so many people are becoming students of the Faith. The German believers must concentrate all their efforts on teaching the Cause, as at the present time there are many truth-seekers; in the future it may be more difficult to reach the people.The Summer School was also a great success this year, and our Guardian was very happy to see so many attended and that the activities of the Bahá’ís are now receiving public approval, after so many years of persecution!You may be sure his loving prayers are offered for the success of your devoted services to the Cause of God....[From the Guardian:]May the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh sustain, guide and bless your meritorious efforts, aid you to render notable services to our beloved Cause, and consolidate its new-born and God-given institutions,Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiLetter of 26 February 194726 February 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated Sept. 25th, 1946, was received, as well as the minutes of your meeting of Nov. 2nd and 3rd., and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.Regarding the question of Herr Jörn: Smoking is not forbidden by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; He advises against it for reasons of health, but we have no right to prevent anyone from smoking. But drinking and the use of drugs are strictly forbidden and the Bahá’ís should obey this command.The Guardian has received a number of letters from the Bahá’ís of ..., and in the interest of promoting unity among the friends in Germany he is going to write them instructing them to cooperate with and obey your Assembly; he feels that you should send capable Bahá’ís there to teach them and strengthen them in the Faith, and to make sure no political elements are allowed to enter into their discussions or be a part of their group.He has recently had fifteen hundred dollars sent from the Relief Fund in Ṭihrán to America for the immediate purchase of food parcels for the German and Austrian Bahá’ís, and hopes these will soon reach them. It is very distressing that so much money over ten thousand pounds (£10.000) should be held in the name of the German friends, and yet no way of sending it be found. He hopes your Assembly will make every effort to arrange for this money to be received in Germany.He is also very anxious to receive news of exactly what is happening about the National Bahá’í Headquarters in Frankfurt; he gathers from your minutes that negotiations are in progress for a building in that city? He attaches great importance to this undertaking, and urges you to press the matter constantly.The reports he received of the young peoples’ Summer School and the Summer School at Esslingen were most encouraging, and he is delighted to see that in spite of so many handicaps the friends are so devoted and active! He was also very happy to note that new spiritual assemblies are in the process of formation, and hopes you will concentrate on their establishment and the formation of many new groups. In spite of the conditions in Germany it is of the utmost importance to teach the Cause as widely as possible, especially to the youth, now that through suffering and disillusionment the hearts of the people are more receptive.You may be sure that his ardent and loving prayers are offered for each and every one of you, and for the success of your devoted labours for the Cause of God....[From the Guardian:]Dearly-beloved friends:The revival and rapid consolidation of the German Bahá’í community after the prolonged and terrible ordeals to which it has been subjected is a striking evidence of the irresistible power of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, as well as a magnificent testimony to the vitality of the faith of the German believers. I feel proud and profoundly thankful for the loyalty, the perseverance, the resolution, the unity, the zeal and the devotion which characterize their collective efforts and corporate life in the service of this glorious Cause. The prompt establishment of the national Hazíratu’l-Quds in the city of Frankfurt; the rapid translation, publication and dissemination of Bahá’í literature; the multiplication of Bahá’í centers, whether groups or assemblies; the consolidation of the institution of the Summer School; the initiation of effective measures aimed at a close collaboration with the American European Teaching committee; the proclamation of the teachings of the Faith to the spiritually famished, the disillusioned and longsuffering masses—these stand out as the primary and urgent tasks that demand the immediate, the earnest and undivided attention of your assembly. I will pray for your success from the depths of my heart and feel confident that the dearly-beloved heroic German believers will arise, as one man and despite the obstacles confronting them, to achieve these immediate tasks that constitute only a prelude to the tremendous enterprises which it is their destiny to accomplish in the years to come.Your true brother,ShoghiLetter of 4 June 1947 (Convention)4 June 1947 (Convention)Dear Bahá’í Friends:It was with great joy that our beloved Guardian received your loving message dated April 26th, and signed by so many of the dear believers. He has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.The re-florescence of the Holy and beloved Faith in Germany, after so many bitter years of suppression and suffering, has brought great happiness to not only his heart but to the hearts of the Bahá’ís all over the world.That you should be able, in relatively so short a period of time, and in the face of so many obstacles, to reconstitute your assemblies and National Assembly, be in a position to elect new assemblies, and to hold your Summer School and various conferences, all point the way to a brilliant future for the German followers of the Cause of God.He urges you individually and collectively to teach the Faith constantly to your spiritually starved countrymen, to support and assist your National Assembly in carrying out its heavy responsibilities and to do all in your power to hasten the day when a befitting National Headquarters, situated in Frankfurt a.M., will have been purchased and established, one that will be commensurate with the importance of the German Bahá’í Community, the strongest and largest on the Continent of Europe.You may rest assured that his loving and ardent prayers are offered for your progress and success in the Holy Shrines....[From the Guardian:]Dearly beloved friends and co-workers:I was deeply touched by your message, and I greatly value the sentiments you have expressed, the zeal and unity you demonstrate, the deeds you accomplish, the plans you have conceived, and above all the spirit you so powerfully manifest in your diligent labours for the spread and consolidation of our beloved Faith in your promising country. The German Bahá’í community, emerging triumphantly from one of the severest ordeals that have afflicted any of its sister-communities in East or West, now stands on the threshold of a new era in its development. Great tasks confront it. The establishment of a befitting administrative centre in the heart of that country, the multiplication of groups and assemblies, the dissemination of Bahá’í literature and the proclamation of the Faith to the masses are among the most urgent, the most vital and outstanding of these tasks. The entire community, however difficult the present circumstances, must arise and carry them out. Its future as prophecied by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is glorious. Its spirit is magnificent. Its members are distinguished among the followers of the Faith throughout the world by their tenacity, their thoroughness, their great capacity and resourcefulness. Our beloved Master, who watches over them, has greatly praised them, loves them dearly, is ready to bless their labours and reinforce their exertions. Its members must rise to the height of their present and priceless opportunity. They will, I feel confident, prove themselves worthy of the great blessings showered upon them in the past by their Lord and Master.Affectionately,ShoghiLetter of 19 June 194719 June 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your loving message, sent to our beloved Guardian on the occasion of the celebration of his twenty-five years of Guardianship, reached him and touched him very much indeed.He feels a special affection for the Esslingen Community, as it is not only one of the oldest ones in Germany but he associates it with the important Summer School held in its neighbourhood.Your love for and devotion to our glorious Faith are greatly appreciated, and the many services that members of your Community have rendered, and are rendering it, deeply valued.He assures you all he will pray for the success of your labours in the Holy Shrines, and that Bahá’u’lláh may increase your numbers and richly bless you all....[From the Guardian:]May the Beloved bless your efforts, guide your steps, remove every obstacle that impedes the growth of your Community, and assist you to proclaim the truths of His Faith and consolidate its institutions,Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiLetter of 24 June 194724 June 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter, dated June 16th, has been received, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.He can quite well understand that after so many years of isolation from the rest of the Bahá’í world it came as a surprise to some of you to hear that we, as Bahá’ís, must not have any affiliations with churches or political parties. But he feels certain that when you meditate on this matter you yourselves will see the wisdom of it. We, as Bahá’ís, can never be known as hypocrites or as people insincere in their protestations and because of this we cannot subscribe to both the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and ordinary church dogma. The churches are waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ; we believe He has come again in the Glory of the Father. The churches teach doctrines—various ones in various creeds—which we as Bahá’ís do not accept; such as the bodily Resurrection, confession, or, in some creeds, the denial of the Immaculate Conception. In other words there is no Christian church today whose dogmas we, as Bahá’ís can truthfully say we accept in their entirety—therefore to remain a member of the Church is not proper for us, for we do so under false pretences. We should, therefore, withdraw from our churches but continue to associate, if we wish to, with the church members and ministers.Our belief in Christ, as Bahá’ís, is so firm, so unshakable and so exalted in nature that very few Christians are to be found nowadays who love Him and reverence Him and have the faith in Him that we have. It is only from the dogmas and creeds of the churches that we dissociate ourselves; not from the spirit of Christianity.Very much the same reasons motivate us in withdrawing from all political movements, however close some of their ideals may be to ours. We Bahá’ís are one the world-over, we are seeking to build up a New World Order, Divine in origin. How can we do this if every Bahá’í is a member of a different political party—some of them diametrically opposed to each other? Where is our unity then? We would be divided because of politics, against ourselves, and this is the opposite of our purpose. Obviously if one Bahá’í in Austria, is given freedom to choose a political party and join it, however good its aims may be, another Bahá’í in Japan, or America or India, has the right to do the same thing, and he might belong to a party the very opposite in principle to that which the Austrian Bahá’í belongs to. Where would be the unity of the Faith then? These two spiritual brothers would be working against each other, because of their political affiliations (as the Christians of Europe have been doing in so many fratricidal wars).The best way for a Bahá’í to serve his country and the world is to work for the establishment of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order, which will gradually unite all men and do away with divisive political systems and religious creeds.He does not force you to do this at once; but urges you all to decide to withdraw from your churches and political groups within, say, a year, and then to help each other to do this. You will find your spiritual strength greater for taking this step.Please assure dear Mrs. Schwarz of his loving prayers on her behalf.He will also pray for you all in the Holy Shrines, and urges you to persevere in your services to our beloved Faith....[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:I was so pleased to receive your message and so thankful for the evidences of devotion, of determination and love it contained. The Austrian believers are dear and near to my heart, and I deeply sympathize with them in the ordeal and tribulations which they have suffered, and which have demonstrated the quality of their faith and the depth of their devotion. The funds accumulated for their relief and for the development of the Faith in their land will, I trust, be soon forwarded to them, and will no doubt greatly contribute to the rehabilitation and growth of their beloved community. Persevere in your meritorious labours, and rest assured that you are often in my thoughts and prayers, and that I will continue to supplicate for you all the Master’s richest blessings.Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiP.S. He feels that the German and Austrian believers are one in language and that the Austrian friends should consider the N.G.R. as their National Assembly, the same as before the war. We are Bahá’ís and have no nationalistic feelings in such matters. Our ties are purely spiritual. But you can consult the European Teaching Committee if the NGR is too difficult at present. The Guardian wishes you to know that as soon as there are a sufficient number of Bahá’í assemblies in Austria she will naturally have her own NGR.Letter of 27 September 1947 (Summer School)27 September 1947 (Summer School)Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letters to our beloved Guardian reached him through Mr. ..., and he was delighted to see that so many believers had been able to attend the school at Esslingen this summer.It shows the vitality of the German Bahá’ís and their intense desire to further the interests of our glorious Faith in Germany, and build up its institutions.He urges you all, in your work for the Cause in your local Communities, to stress the need for the greatest love and unity amongst the Bahá’ís themselves. It is this love and spiritual solidarity that is so sadly lacking in the world today, and for which its people are starving. When they see within the Bahá’í Community the true spirit of brotherhood exemplified, they will turn to Bahá’u’lláh and embrace His Message.He also urges you to exert yourselves ceaselessly in the teaching field, and build up new Bahá’í centers, establish new spiritual assemblies, and convert the existing groups into assemblies by April of next year.The Cause, we know, has a great future in Germany, and he assures you all he is constantly praying for the success of your devoted labours....[From the Guardian:]Dear co-workers:Your messages, eloquently testifying to the dynamic faith which inspires and sustains the German Bahá’í Community, now triumphantly emerging from its long and severe ordeal, rejoiced my heart, and served to deepen my feelings of affection and admiration for its members. You who now stand on the threshold of a new era, have great tasks ahead of you and a glorious mission to fulfil. The institutions you are now initiating and developing will no doubt enable you to achieve speedily and effectively your goal. The Beloved is watching over you. His love surrounds you, and His spirit sustains and guides you. Persevere in your glorious task. Rest assured that my prayers will continue to be offered on your behalf, and be confident that Bahá’u’lláh will aid you to achieve ultimate victory.ShoghiLetter of 24 October 194724 October 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letters to our beloved Guardian, dated Dec. 4th, 1946, Jan. 6th, March 19th, June 15th, Aug. 27th and Sept. 28th, 1947, have all been received, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf. He has also received a letter, on behalf of your secretary, written by Dr. Köller-Jager, and enclosing an English translation of your minutes. This was dated March 13th.In regard to the various matters you have raised in these letters:He noted the report of Mrs Grossmann about her meeting with the grandchild of Subh-i-Azal. He feels that the friends should as much as possible avoid her, as it is very unlikely she has anything but prejudice against Bahá’u’lláh, in view of her background.He deeply appreciated the message of love and loyalty you sent him on the occasion of the celebration of twenty-five years of Guardianship.He is extremely pleased to see the way the Cause is spreading in Germany, and the steady growth in the number of the assemblies there. This would be a remarkable achievement under normal circumstances, but in view of the weakened state of the health of the Bahá’ís and the hardships they and their countrymen are undergoing, it is little short of heroic. The Bahá’ís everywhere are watching the labours of their German brothers and sisters with deep admiration.Concerning your question about forming Spiritual Assemblies this year as soon as circumstances permit, and without waiting until April 21st, 1948: he does not think this advisable. In order to encourage the German friends, so long oppressed and prevented from serving, he made an exception last year, but this year he feels all assemblies should wait until April to hold their elections. He has recently advised the European Teaching Committee to do likewise, as some of the pioneers were eager to form assemblies as soon as 9 Bahá’ís existed in a city of one of the goal countries!He is pleased to hear you have strengthened and assisted the Nuremberg Bahá’ís, and that there are now so many there. Also he is glad to hear you are protecting them and the Cause from the misrepresentations and ambitions of Mr. ... Great vigilance and wisdom is required in such matters.Regarding the publication of books for use in Germany in Switzerland: he feels that this is out of the question at present, owing to the fact that the exchange of Persian into Swiss money, (providing it could be made at all), would be prohibitively expensive. You would lose far too much this way. He, therefore, suggests that you get in touch with Mr. David Hofman of England, who is a publisher in a small way, and very anxious to be of help in printing Bahá’í Literature. He is a member of the British N.S.A., and if you arrange some satisfactory way of having him print books or booklets for you, it will be easier and cheaper to transfer some of the money from Ṭihrán, for this purpose, to England. The Guardian has already written Mr. Hofman he favours his doing this, if you and he can agree.Unfortunately, owing to the fall in the value of the pound, the conversion of Persian money into American dollars involves considerable loss. In view of this the Guardian is going to instruct Mr. Varqá in Ṭihrán to send to the American N.S.A. five hundred pounds for the purpose of buying Care Packages, which will be sent to you for your use in securing the National Headquarters.There is, in the special Fund held in Ṭihrán on behalf of your assembly, about ten thousand pounds. He feels you should spend a third of this on your National Headquarters. But, as mentioned above, he advises you to try and go ahead with the preliminary arrangements through using five hundred pounds in Care packages, and thus not lose too much of this money through the poor exchange at this time.He leaves details of this matter to the discretion of your assembly, and hopes you will keep him informed of what action you have taken, and of the progress made in obtaining the National Headquarters.He assures you all of his admiration for your steadfast labours to protect and promote every interest of our beloved Faith in Germany, and of his loving and ardent prayers for the success of your work....[From the Guardian:]Dearly-beloved Friends:The spirit which the entire body of the German believers have displayed, despite the hardships and trials which they have heroically endured, and are still enduring, is a magnificent example to their fellow-workers in both the East and the West, a source of great inspiration to me, and a magnet that will powerfully attract the blessings of the Almighty. My thoughts, though I myself am immersed in an ocean of work and preoccupations, often turn in loving admiration and gratitude to those who, for more than a decade, have in the face of constant peril, held fast to the Faith of God, who have survived the greatest ordeal that has ever afflicted the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in the West, and who are now forging ahead, united, resolved and consecrated, in the path leading to still greater victories.I rejoice to learn of the preliminary steps that are being taken to enable the dearly beloved and highly promising German Bahá’í Community to own its first National Hazíratu’l-Quds in the heart of that sorely-tried country. The utmost effort should be exerted to complete the present negotiations, and to initiate the national activities in that centre. I will, for my part, assist in any way possible, your assembly, in the historic enterprise which it has launched, and feel confident that the Beloved will bless your efforts, fulfil your highest expectations in this vital sphere of Bahá’í activity.The dissemination of Bahá’í literature, is moreover, a matter of vital importance, which must be promoted by every means at your disposal. The multiplication of Bahá’í centres, the formation of new assemblies, the consolidation of newly-established groups, constitute, likewise, the primary objective of your assembly, demanding constant exertion, watchfulness and guidance on your part, as well as full support and still greater sacrifice by the rank and file of the believers.The promotion of the interests of the Austrian believers, owing to their proximity to your country, their past association with you and their practical isolation from the Bahá’í centres in East and West, should be regarded as one of your outstanding tasks, and I trust that every obstacle will be surmounted, enabling you to enrich thereby the record of your distinguished services to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.The path you are treading is hard and stony and beset with many pitfalls. The tasks you are called upon to discharge are varied, complex, urgent and gigantic. The resources at your disposal are meagre. The hour, however, for raising the call of Bahá’u’lláh is propitious. The hearts of your countrymen, prepared by bewilderment and suffering, are ready to respond to His message. You stand at the threshold of a new and glorious era in the evolution of His Faith in that land. The opportunities of the present hour are priceless and may never recur again. Time is pressing. The eyes of your fellow-workers in both Hemispheres are fixed upon you. Our beloved Master who showered, through His visit and His messages to you, so much love and encouragement and so many blessings, is watching over you from on high, ready to sustain your efforts and lead you on to victory.That you may rise to still greater heights of heroism, that you may discharge befittingly your sacred responsibilities, that you may adorn the annals of your Faith with still greater evidences of your devotion, courage and perseverance, that you may achieve your high destiny as the torch-bearers of the light of Divine Guidance to the neighbouring countries in that continent, is the object of my fervent prayers at the holy shrines, and the dearest wish of my heart.Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

Letter of 4 May 19464 May 1946Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter of March 17th (the copy of which Mr. Eichenauer also forwarded) has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He is very anxious for the young Bahá’ís, everywhere, to deepen their knowledge of the teachings, of Bahá’í administration and laws, and to live an exemplary Bahá’í life in order to prepare themselves for their work in the Cause as teachers and administrators. They are the ones who will toil in the glorious and difficult days that lie ahead, and they must now fit themselves to be worthy of their future high responsibilities and duties.He assures you all he will pray for your services, your progress and development, in the Holy Shrines, and he cherishes great hopes for your future....[From the Guardian:]Dear co-workers:My heart rejoiced and my soul was refreshed at the receipt of your most welcome message, signed by so great a number of ardent and youthful co-workers in a land so rich in promise, so blessed by our Beloved, and so severely tried by the vicissitudes of war. You are, I assure you, often in my thoughts and prayers, and I cherish the brightest hopes for your future work. You are, I feel confident, destined to achieve memorable victories, both in your native land and on the continent of Europe, and you should diligently and unitedly prepare yourselves for this glorious task. Persevere, redouble your efforts, and rest assured that the Beloved will bless and sustain you always.Your true brother,Shoghi

4 May 1946

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter of March 17th (the copy of which Mr. Eichenauer also forwarded) has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He is very anxious for the young Bahá’ís, everywhere, to deepen their knowledge of the teachings, of Bahá’í administration and laws, and to live an exemplary Bahá’í life in order to prepare themselves for their work in the Cause as teachers and administrators. They are the ones who will toil in the glorious and difficult days that lie ahead, and they must now fit themselves to be worthy of their future high responsibilities and duties.

He assures you all he will pray for your services, your progress and development, in the Holy Shrines, and he cherishes great hopes for your future....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-workers:

My heart rejoiced and my soul was refreshed at the receipt of your most welcome message, signed by so great a number of ardent and youthful co-workers in a land so rich in promise, so blessed by our Beloved, and so severely tried by the vicissitudes of war. You are, I assure you, often in my thoughts and prayers, and I cherish the brightest hopes for your future work. You are, I feel confident, destined to achieve memorable victories, both in your native land and on the continent of Europe, and you should diligently and unitedly prepare yourselves for this glorious task. Persevere, redouble your efforts, and rest assured that the Beloved will bless and sustain you always.

Your true brother,Shoghi

Letter of 30 July 194630 July 1946Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter of June 29th, with its translation, was received, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.He was so very happy to hear from your Assembly after all these years, since that important institution was disbanded, and hopes from time to time you will send him reports of your work.As regards the question you asked him: he feels that the Bahá’ís in Germany should, by all means, follow the same procedure as regards withdrawing from church membership as that in America. You should point out to the believers that, by belonging to other organized religious bodies, we are not acting openly because we firmly believe Christ has come again—so how can we belong to a church which does not accept Bahá’u’lláh and His message as the fulfilment of Jesus’ message and the reappearance of Jesus Himself?He is very anxious that ways should be found for you to receive the money collected in Ṭihrán and spend it on the Cause and its institutions in Germany. The eagerness of the people to hear of the Faith imposes a sacred duty on all the German Bahá’ís to see that they are not denied this Divine Revelation in their hour of need.You may be sure the Guardian will do all he can to assist you, and his ardent prayers are offered on your behalf, for your assistance, your guidance, and the success of your sacred labours to give to Germany the news of this precious Faith’s existence, and to administer with wisdom the affairs of the Cause there.He urges you to hold as frequent meetings as possible, and, in cooperation with the American N.S.A. to get as much literature printed and disseminated as you can....[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:Your letter brought great joy to my heart. I rejoice to hear of the formation of your assembly, the cornerstone of the foundation of the Faith in that land. I urge you to consult and deliberate as frequently as you can on the affairs of the Faith, devise the most effective measures for its spread, extend the range of Bahá’í publications, and the friends to scatter as widely as they can in order to multiply the centres and establish new assemblies, extend any assistance you can to the friends in Vienna and take whatever steps are required to enable you to establish the centre of the Faith in Frankfurt. Your task is immense, the obstacles formidable, the need of your fellow countrymen for the healing truths of the Faith urgent and pitiful, the promised help from on high ready and assured, if you persevere in your task and arise to discharge befittingly your responsibilities. The considerable sums accumulated in Ṭihrán will aid you to extend the scope of your activities and to consolidate your achievements. You should, though these sums have not yet reached you, embark on great projects, and devise, after careful deliberation, effective methods for the propagation of our beloved Faith. I am following the progress of your highly important activities with intense interest. You are, I assure you, often in my thoughts and prayers, and I will continue to supplicate for you the Master’s richest blessings.Rest assured, persevere, and be happy.Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

30 July 1946

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter of June 29th, with its translation, was received, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

He was so very happy to hear from your Assembly after all these years, since that important institution was disbanded, and hopes from time to time you will send him reports of your work.

As regards the question you asked him: he feels that the Bahá’ís in Germany should, by all means, follow the same procedure as regards withdrawing from church membership as that in America. You should point out to the believers that, by belonging to other organized religious bodies, we are not acting openly because we firmly believe Christ has come again—so how can we belong to a church which does not accept Bahá’u’lláh and His message as the fulfilment of Jesus’ message and the reappearance of Jesus Himself?

He is very anxious that ways should be found for you to receive the money collected in Ṭihrán and spend it on the Cause and its institutions in Germany. The eagerness of the people to hear of the Faith imposes a sacred duty on all the German Bahá’ís to see that they are not denied this Divine Revelation in their hour of need.

You may be sure the Guardian will do all he can to assist you, and his ardent prayers are offered on your behalf, for your assistance, your guidance, and the success of your sacred labours to give to Germany the news of this precious Faith’s existence, and to administer with wisdom the affairs of the Cause there.

He urges you to hold as frequent meetings as possible, and, in cooperation with the American N.S.A. to get as much literature printed and disseminated as you can....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

Your letter brought great joy to my heart. I rejoice to hear of the formation of your assembly, the cornerstone of the foundation of the Faith in that land. I urge you to consult and deliberate as frequently as you can on the affairs of the Faith, devise the most effective measures for its spread, extend the range of Bahá’í publications, and the friends to scatter as widely as they can in order to multiply the centres and establish new assemblies, extend any assistance you can to the friends in Vienna and take whatever steps are required to enable you to establish the centre of the Faith in Frankfurt. Your task is immense, the obstacles formidable, the need of your fellow countrymen for the healing truths of the Faith urgent and pitiful, the promised help from on high ready and assured, if you persevere in your task and arise to discharge befittingly your responsibilities. The considerable sums accumulated in Ṭihrán will aid you to extend the scope of your activities and to consolidate your achievements. You should, though these sums have not yet reached you, embark on great projects, and devise, after careful deliberation, effective methods for the propagation of our beloved Faith. I am following the progress of your highly important activities with intense interest. You are, I assure you, often in my thoughts and prayers, and I will continue to supplicate for you the Master’s richest blessings.

Rest assured, persevere, and be happy.

Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

Letter of 31 July 194631 July 1946Dear Bahá’í-Brother:Your letter of July 1st was received by our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He was delighted to hear of the Bahá’í wedding which recently took place in your Community of Stuttgart Bahá’ís and he thanks all the dear friends who were present, whose names you forwarded to him on the list enclosed in your letter, for their greetings and their loving thought of him.In connection with the National Administrative Center of the Faith being in Frankfurt, he wishes to point out to you the following:This is a purely practical measure because Frankfurt a/M is so much more centrally located than Stuttgart in the south of Germany. The dear friends of Stuttgart must not for a moment feel that this detracts from the unique place their city occupies in the history of the Faith in Germany.It is very similar to what has happened in the United States; ‘Abdu’l-Bahá conferred many honours on New York and called it the “City of the Covenant”, but this did not prevent Chicago from being chosen as the National Administrative Headquarters owing to its central position in America.The Stuttgart friends should do all in their power to foster the development of this Administrative Headquarters in Frankfurt, and to ensure its success, as this is what is best for the development of the Faith in Germany. But you can be sure Stuttgart holds a unique position and has received from the Master Himself unique distinction.It is probable, but not certain, that the first Temple will also, for the same reason, be in Frankfurt. The publishing work, likewise, should be there in the future, but at present its location is for the N.S.A. to decide.He was very pleased to hear you are requiring all Bahá’ís to withdraw from church membership and similar organizations; he considers your Community the mother community in spirit, and is confident it will continue to lead the way in its exemplary conduct.You may be sure his loving prayers will be offered for the success of the teaching and administrative work of the Stuttgart believers...P.S. In the future Stuttgart must naturally have its own administrative headquarters for that city, and he hopes you will soon have found a suitable meeting place.[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:I was so pleased to receive your most welcome letter. The friends in that centre are very dear and near to me, and I cherish the brightest hopes for their future in the service of our beloved Faith. The Beloved poured forth His manifold blessings upon them and greatly admired their spirit. May His Spirit continue to guide, sustain and bless them in their future services and high endeavors for the promotion of His Faith.Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

31 July 1946

Dear Bahá’í-Brother:

Your letter of July 1st was received by our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was delighted to hear of the Bahá’í wedding which recently took place in your Community of Stuttgart Bahá’ís and he thanks all the dear friends who were present, whose names you forwarded to him on the list enclosed in your letter, for their greetings and their loving thought of him.

In connection with the National Administrative Center of the Faith being in Frankfurt, he wishes to point out to you the following:

This is a purely practical measure because Frankfurt a/M is so much more centrally located than Stuttgart in the south of Germany. The dear friends of Stuttgart must not for a moment feel that this detracts from the unique place their city occupies in the history of the Faith in Germany.

It is very similar to what has happened in the United States; ‘Abdu’l-Bahá conferred many honours on New York and called it the “City of the Covenant”, but this did not prevent Chicago from being chosen as the National Administrative Headquarters owing to its central position in America.

The Stuttgart friends should do all in their power to foster the development of this Administrative Headquarters in Frankfurt, and to ensure its success, as this is what is best for the development of the Faith in Germany. But you can be sure Stuttgart holds a unique position and has received from the Master Himself unique distinction.

It is probable, but not certain, that the first Temple will also, for the same reason, be in Frankfurt. The publishing work, likewise, should be there in the future, but at present its location is for the N.S.A. to decide.

He was very pleased to hear you are requiring all Bahá’ís to withdraw from church membership and similar organizations; he considers your Community the mother community in spirit, and is confident it will continue to lead the way in its exemplary conduct.

You may be sure his loving prayers will be offered for the success of the teaching and administrative work of the Stuttgart believers...

P.S. In the future Stuttgart must naturally have its own administrative headquarters for that city, and he hopes you will soon have found a suitable meeting place.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

I was so pleased to receive your most welcome letter. The friends in that centre are very dear and near to me, and I cherish the brightest hopes for their future in the service of our beloved Faith. The Beloved poured forth His manifold blessings upon them and greatly admired their spirit. May His Spirit continue to guide, sustain and bless them in their future services and high endeavors for the promotion of His Faith.

Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

Letter of 22 November 194622 November 1946Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your most welcome letter of Aug. 21st reached our beloved Guardian after a long delay, as you can see, but brought him great joy. He has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.He is fully aware of the very sad and difficult conditions under which you are labouring to reestablish the spiritual well-being of the German and Austrian believers, but he feels confident that your great faith, determination and devotion will enable you to achieve your ends and the aid of Bahá’u’lláh is surely vouchsafed you as you serve His Cause and seek to bring enlightenment and inner comfort to the war-weary German people.In connection with the various points you raise in your letter:He is very anxious to see the “Sonne der Wahrheit” published again; as it will greatly assist you in sustaining and guiding the German believers and in teaching other German-speaking people. He urges you to go on petitioning the U.S. authorities for permission to resume this important activity.That so many members of the former “Bahá’í World Union” should now be seeking enrollment as believers greatly pleases him, and he feels you should by all means accept them as registered Bahá’ís, unless you yourselves have any reason to question some individuals’ sincerity.He would like to receive regularly the minutes of your assembly’s meetings in German; it is not necessary to translate the whole thing each time, but if a short summary of the important points could also be sent in English he would appreciate it.The flourishing activities of the Bahá’í Summer School at Esslingen greatly pleased him, and he is so happy to see the way the friends have not only protected this Bahá’í Home during the long years of war and persecution, but immediately rallied around it again and made it once more a source of unity and a center of Bahá’í study.The long sessions of your National Assembly meetings are very essential for the promotion of the work in Germany and the rehabilitation of the affairs of the Cause there. In your meetings he urges you to give considerable attention to carrying out the following very important tasks: It is of the utmost importance that the friends be well supplied with not only Bahá’í literature, but with a regular Bahá’í News letter—the organ of your assembly—and also with their own magazine, the “Sonne der Wahrheit”. He therefore urges you all to persevere in pushing these publication matters forward. Needless to say the translation work must also go on uninterruptedly and receive first attention, as there is now a wealth of Bahá’í literature in English for you to draw upon and which is much needed by the German friends to help deepen their understanding of the Divine Cause, and better enable them to teach it.The teaching work is, of course, the most important of all. He has been very encouraged to see the efforts the friends are making in the U.S. Zone and to hear of the good results they are achieving. But the primary responsibility for this great work rests on your assembly, and you must devise as many ways and means as possible for prosecuting your teaching plans on a wide scale and covering a wide field. Now that your country is in such a state of despair, and the people have suffered so deeply, their hearts are more receptive, as you pointed out in your letter, and therefore at this time they must be approached with the Divine Message before internal integration and new problems or new possibilities arise to sidetrack their attention. He hopes that you will continually urge the friends to arise and teach, that you will devise ways and means (such as the summer-school and various conferences, committees, etc.) of training more of them—particularly the youth—as public speakers and teachers and, in short, leave no stone unturned in prosecuting this major task.Hand in hand with this intensification of the teaching work must go the multiplication of groups and their development into Spiritual assemblies.Another important matter to which he wishes to draw your special attention is that of the Nat. Bahá’í Headquarters in Frankfurt. He fully realizes the obstacles which must be overcome in order to carry out this historic project, but feels sure that Bahá’u’lláh will help and guide you to find a suitable spot and make preliminary arrangements. Ten thousand pounds is now reposing in the special fund he has established in Ṭihrán for the rehabilitation of the Faith in Germany and the relief of the dear friends there. A considerable part of this he himself has contributed to this community which both the Master and he love so dearly—so you see the means to help you carry out the many great tasks confronting you are there. He is most anxious that this money should reach you, and hopes ways can soon be found of sending it to your assembly; you should constantly bear this in mind, and let him know of any possible means you find of transmitting this sum.I need not assure you of how dear your work is to the heart of our Guardian, of how eagerly he receives news of your activities, of how much he appreciates your many self-sacrificing and exhausting labours for the promotion of our beloved Cause! You are very often remembered in his prayers, and he feels sure that the Master is extending you His own aid in serving His Faith in that country He loved so much....[From the Guardian:]Dearly-beloved co-workers:It is such a joy, mingled with feelings of deep thankfulness to Bahá’u’lláh, to be able to resume direct correspondence with the elected national representatives of a community that has achieved so much in the past for our Faith, that has been so dearly loved by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and is destined to spread, as He foretold, the light of God’s sacred Revelation not only in the heart of Europe but throughout that dark, war-devastated spiritually famished continent. Now that the shackles imposed upon that community have been removed, and its chief and central administrative institution is again vigorously functioning, a concerted, sustained and systematic effort must be made, not only by its members, but by the rank and file of its supporters throughout that land, to expand, multiply and consolidate the community’s nascent institutions, widen, considerably and rapidly, the range of its literature, establish, firmly and definitely, in however rudimentary a form its national headquarters in Frankfurt situated in the heart of that country, reinforce and develop the work assigned to its national committees, revitalize its summer-schools and other subsidiary institutions, maintain and develop its contact, through correspondence, with national and local administrative bodies throughout the Bahá’í world, devise effective measures for the proclamation, boldly and determinedly, of the message to the masses, fortify and enrich its corporate life and lay an unassailable foundation for its future development. The task is immense, the opportunities are priceless and manifold, the hour is critical and challenging, the promises given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are clear, unmistakable, and soul-refreshing, His assistance ready and unfailing. All that is required, in thanksgiving for the protection vouchsafed to this community by Bahá’u’lláh is to arise with courage, high resolve and clear vision, to carry out the immediate task in its entirety, and thus prepare the way for the opening of a new and still more glorious chapter in the history of the evolution of the Faith in that land. I pray from all my heart for the speedy and complete realization of the high hopes I cherish for that dearly-beloved, long-suffering, richly blessed community.Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

22 November 1946

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your most welcome letter of Aug. 21st reached our beloved Guardian after a long delay, as you can see, but brought him great joy. He has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

He is fully aware of the very sad and difficult conditions under which you are labouring to reestablish the spiritual well-being of the German and Austrian believers, but he feels confident that your great faith, determination and devotion will enable you to achieve your ends and the aid of Bahá’u’lláh is surely vouchsafed you as you serve His Cause and seek to bring enlightenment and inner comfort to the war-weary German people.

In connection with the various points you raise in your letter:

He is very anxious to see the “Sonne der Wahrheit” published again; as it will greatly assist you in sustaining and guiding the German believers and in teaching other German-speaking people. He urges you to go on petitioning the U.S. authorities for permission to resume this important activity.

That so many members of the former “Bahá’í World Union” should now be seeking enrollment as believers greatly pleases him, and he feels you should by all means accept them as registered Bahá’ís, unless you yourselves have any reason to question some individuals’ sincerity.

He would like to receive regularly the minutes of your assembly’s meetings in German; it is not necessary to translate the whole thing each time, but if a short summary of the important points could also be sent in English he would appreciate it.

The flourishing activities of the Bahá’í Summer School at Esslingen greatly pleased him, and he is so happy to see the way the friends have not only protected this Bahá’í Home during the long years of war and persecution, but immediately rallied around it again and made it once more a source of unity and a center of Bahá’í study.

The long sessions of your National Assembly meetings are very essential for the promotion of the work in Germany and the rehabilitation of the affairs of the Cause there. In your meetings he urges you to give considerable attention to carrying out the following very important tasks: It is of the utmost importance that the friends be well supplied with not only Bahá’í literature, but with a regular Bahá’í News letter—the organ of your assembly—and also with their own magazine, the “Sonne der Wahrheit”. He therefore urges you all to persevere in pushing these publication matters forward. Needless to say the translation work must also go on uninterruptedly and receive first attention, as there is now a wealth of Bahá’í literature in English for you to draw upon and which is much needed by the German friends to help deepen their understanding of the Divine Cause, and better enable them to teach it.

The teaching work is, of course, the most important of all. He has been very encouraged to see the efforts the friends are making in the U.S. Zone and to hear of the good results they are achieving. But the primary responsibility for this great work rests on your assembly, and you must devise as many ways and means as possible for prosecuting your teaching plans on a wide scale and covering a wide field. Now that your country is in such a state of despair, and the people have suffered so deeply, their hearts are more receptive, as you pointed out in your letter, and therefore at this time they must be approached with the Divine Message before internal integration and new problems or new possibilities arise to sidetrack their attention. He hopes that you will continually urge the friends to arise and teach, that you will devise ways and means (such as the summer-school and various conferences, committees, etc.) of training more of them—particularly the youth—as public speakers and teachers and, in short, leave no stone unturned in prosecuting this major task.

Hand in hand with this intensification of the teaching work must go the multiplication of groups and their development into Spiritual assemblies.

Another important matter to which he wishes to draw your special attention is that of the Nat. Bahá’í Headquarters in Frankfurt. He fully realizes the obstacles which must be overcome in order to carry out this historic project, but feels sure that Bahá’u’lláh will help and guide you to find a suitable spot and make preliminary arrangements. Ten thousand pounds is now reposing in the special fund he has established in Ṭihrán for the rehabilitation of the Faith in Germany and the relief of the dear friends there. A considerable part of this he himself has contributed to this community which both the Master and he love so dearly—so you see the means to help you carry out the many great tasks confronting you are there. He is most anxious that this money should reach you, and hopes ways can soon be found of sending it to your assembly; you should constantly bear this in mind, and let him know of any possible means you find of transmitting this sum.

I need not assure you of how dear your work is to the heart of our Guardian, of how eagerly he receives news of your activities, of how much he appreciates your many self-sacrificing and exhausting labours for the promotion of our beloved Cause! You are very often remembered in his prayers, and he feels sure that the Master is extending you His own aid in serving His Faith in that country He loved so much....

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly-beloved co-workers:

It is such a joy, mingled with feelings of deep thankfulness to Bahá’u’lláh, to be able to resume direct correspondence with the elected national representatives of a community that has achieved so much in the past for our Faith, that has been so dearly loved by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and is destined to spread, as He foretold, the light of God’s sacred Revelation not only in the heart of Europe but throughout that dark, war-devastated spiritually famished continent. Now that the shackles imposed upon that community have been removed, and its chief and central administrative institution is again vigorously functioning, a concerted, sustained and systematic effort must be made, not only by its members, but by the rank and file of its supporters throughout that land, to expand, multiply and consolidate the community’s nascent institutions, widen, considerably and rapidly, the range of its literature, establish, firmly and definitely, in however rudimentary a form its national headquarters in Frankfurt situated in the heart of that country, reinforce and develop the work assigned to its national committees, revitalize its summer-schools and other subsidiary institutions, maintain and develop its contact, through correspondence, with national and local administrative bodies throughout the Bahá’í world, devise effective measures for the proclamation, boldly and determinedly, of the message to the masses, fortify and enrich its corporate life and lay an unassailable foundation for its future development. The task is immense, the opportunities are priceless and manifold, the hour is critical and challenging, the promises given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are clear, unmistakable, and soul-refreshing, His assistance ready and unfailing. All that is required, in thanksgiving for the protection vouchsafed to this community by Bahá’u’lláh is to arise with courage, high resolve and clear vision, to carry out the immediate task in its entirety, and thus prepare the way for the opening of a new and still more glorious chapter in the history of the evolution of the Faith in that land. I pray from all my heart for the speedy and complete realization of the high hopes I cherish for that dearly-beloved, long-suffering, richly blessed community.

Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

Letter of 18 February 1947 (Summer School)18 February 1947 (Summer School)Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter sent to our beloved Guardian from the Esslingen Bahá’í Summer School session of August 1946, brought him great joy, and he has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.It is wonderful to see that the German believers are not only free at last to meet and propagate the Faith of God, but that they are also receiving public recognition from officials, and that their numbers are constantly swelling!All the sufferings the German believers have endured are not in vain; they now see before them many, many of their fellow-countrymen ripe to receive the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, which, some of them, in the past, would never have listened to for a moment.Now is the time to teach the Cause of God in Germany as never before; in spite of the hardships you are all undergoing, you must be active in building up new Bahá’í Assemblies while the people are still seeking some spiritual food. We do not know what their spiritual condition will be like in the future when their physical lives are once again more stable and secure—so we must seize this golden opportunity, and make every sacrifice to rapidly spread the Divine Message in Germany now.He will pray for you all, that God may bless, aid and guide you....[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:I was deeply touched by your message, and I greatly value the sentiments you have expressed, and the efforts you exert for the promotion of our beloved Faith. I will pray for your success from the depths of my heart. Rest assured, and persevere in your high and meritorious endeavours.Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

18 February 1947 (Summer School)

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter sent to our beloved Guardian from the Esslingen Bahá’í Summer School session of August 1946, brought him great joy, and he has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

It is wonderful to see that the German believers are not only free at last to meet and propagate the Faith of God, but that they are also receiving public recognition from officials, and that their numbers are constantly swelling!

All the sufferings the German believers have endured are not in vain; they now see before them many, many of their fellow-countrymen ripe to receive the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, which, some of them, in the past, would never have listened to for a moment.

Now is the time to teach the Cause of God in Germany as never before; in spite of the hardships you are all undergoing, you must be active in building up new Bahá’í Assemblies while the people are still seeking some spiritual food. We do not know what their spiritual condition will be like in the future when their physical lives are once again more stable and secure—so we must seize this golden opportunity, and make every sacrifice to rapidly spread the Divine Message in Germany now.

He will pray for you all, that God may bless, aid and guide you....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

I was deeply touched by your message, and I greatly value the sentiments you have expressed, and the efforts you exert for the promotion of our beloved Faith. I will pray for your success from the depths of my heart. Rest assured, and persevere in your high and meritorious endeavours.

Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

Letter of 22 February 194722 February 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letters dated Sept. 24th, Oct. 1st and Nov. 12th, 1946, have all been received, as well as the interesting reports you enclosed with them, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.He was delighted to see that such large study classes are being held in Esslingen, and that so many people are becoming students of the Faith. The German believers must concentrate all their efforts on teaching the Cause, as at the present time there are many truth-seekers; in the future it may be more difficult to reach the people.The Summer School was also a great success this year, and our Guardian was very happy to see so many attended and that the activities of the Bahá’ís are now receiving public approval, after so many years of persecution!You may be sure his loving prayers are offered for the success of your devoted services to the Cause of God....[From the Guardian:]May the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh sustain, guide and bless your meritorious efforts, aid you to render notable services to our beloved Cause, and consolidate its new-born and God-given institutions,Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

22 February 1947

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letters dated Sept. 24th, Oct. 1st and Nov. 12th, 1946, have all been received, as well as the interesting reports you enclosed with them, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was delighted to see that such large study classes are being held in Esslingen, and that so many people are becoming students of the Faith. The German believers must concentrate all their efforts on teaching the Cause, as at the present time there are many truth-seekers; in the future it may be more difficult to reach the people.

The Summer School was also a great success this year, and our Guardian was very happy to see so many attended and that the activities of the Bahá’ís are now receiving public approval, after so many years of persecution!

You may be sure his loving prayers are offered for the success of your devoted services to the Cause of God....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh sustain, guide and bless your meritorious efforts, aid you to render notable services to our beloved Cause, and consolidate its new-born and God-given institutions,

Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

Letter of 26 February 194726 February 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated Sept. 25th, 1946, was received, as well as the minutes of your meeting of Nov. 2nd and 3rd., and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.Regarding the question of Herr Jörn: Smoking is not forbidden by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; He advises against it for reasons of health, but we have no right to prevent anyone from smoking. But drinking and the use of drugs are strictly forbidden and the Bahá’ís should obey this command.The Guardian has received a number of letters from the Bahá’ís of ..., and in the interest of promoting unity among the friends in Germany he is going to write them instructing them to cooperate with and obey your Assembly; he feels that you should send capable Bahá’ís there to teach them and strengthen them in the Faith, and to make sure no political elements are allowed to enter into their discussions or be a part of their group.He has recently had fifteen hundred dollars sent from the Relief Fund in Ṭihrán to America for the immediate purchase of food parcels for the German and Austrian Bahá’ís, and hopes these will soon reach them. It is very distressing that so much money over ten thousand pounds (£10.000) should be held in the name of the German friends, and yet no way of sending it be found. He hopes your Assembly will make every effort to arrange for this money to be received in Germany.He is also very anxious to receive news of exactly what is happening about the National Bahá’í Headquarters in Frankfurt; he gathers from your minutes that negotiations are in progress for a building in that city? He attaches great importance to this undertaking, and urges you to press the matter constantly.The reports he received of the young peoples’ Summer School and the Summer School at Esslingen were most encouraging, and he is delighted to see that in spite of so many handicaps the friends are so devoted and active! He was also very happy to note that new spiritual assemblies are in the process of formation, and hopes you will concentrate on their establishment and the formation of many new groups. In spite of the conditions in Germany it is of the utmost importance to teach the Cause as widely as possible, especially to the youth, now that through suffering and disillusionment the hearts of the people are more receptive.You may be sure that his ardent and loving prayers are offered for each and every one of you, and for the success of your devoted labours for the Cause of God....[From the Guardian:]Dearly-beloved friends:The revival and rapid consolidation of the German Bahá’í community after the prolonged and terrible ordeals to which it has been subjected is a striking evidence of the irresistible power of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, as well as a magnificent testimony to the vitality of the faith of the German believers. I feel proud and profoundly thankful for the loyalty, the perseverance, the resolution, the unity, the zeal and the devotion which characterize their collective efforts and corporate life in the service of this glorious Cause. The prompt establishment of the national Hazíratu’l-Quds in the city of Frankfurt; the rapid translation, publication and dissemination of Bahá’í literature; the multiplication of Bahá’í centers, whether groups or assemblies; the consolidation of the institution of the Summer School; the initiation of effective measures aimed at a close collaboration with the American European Teaching committee; the proclamation of the teachings of the Faith to the spiritually famished, the disillusioned and longsuffering masses—these stand out as the primary and urgent tasks that demand the immediate, the earnest and undivided attention of your assembly. I will pray for your success from the depths of my heart and feel confident that the dearly-beloved heroic German believers will arise, as one man and despite the obstacles confronting them, to achieve these immediate tasks that constitute only a prelude to the tremendous enterprises which it is their destiny to accomplish in the years to come.Your true brother,Shoghi

26 February 1947

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated Sept. 25th, 1946, was received, as well as the minutes of your meeting of Nov. 2nd and 3rd., and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

Regarding the question of Herr Jörn: Smoking is not forbidden by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; He advises against it for reasons of health, but we have no right to prevent anyone from smoking. But drinking and the use of drugs are strictly forbidden and the Bahá’ís should obey this command.

The Guardian has received a number of letters from the Bahá’ís of ..., and in the interest of promoting unity among the friends in Germany he is going to write them instructing them to cooperate with and obey your Assembly; he feels that you should send capable Bahá’ís there to teach them and strengthen them in the Faith, and to make sure no political elements are allowed to enter into their discussions or be a part of their group.

He has recently had fifteen hundred dollars sent from the Relief Fund in Ṭihrán to America for the immediate purchase of food parcels for the German and Austrian Bahá’ís, and hopes these will soon reach them. It is very distressing that so much money over ten thousand pounds (£10.000) should be held in the name of the German friends, and yet no way of sending it be found. He hopes your Assembly will make every effort to arrange for this money to be received in Germany.

He is also very anxious to receive news of exactly what is happening about the National Bahá’í Headquarters in Frankfurt; he gathers from your minutes that negotiations are in progress for a building in that city? He attaches great importance to this undertaking, and urges you to press the matter constantly.

The reports he received of the young peoples’ Summer School and the Summer School at Esslingen were most encouraging, and he is delighted to see that in spite of so many handicaps the friends are so devoted and active! He was also very happy to note that new spiritual assemblies are in the process of formation, and hopes you will concentrate on their establishment and the formation of many new groups. In spite of the conditions in Germany it is of the utmost importance to teach the Cause as widely as possible, especially to the youth, now that through suffering and disillusionment the hearts of the people are more receptive.

You may be sure that his ardent and loving prayers are offered for each and every one of you, and for the success of your devoted labours for the Cause of God....

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly-beloved friends:

The revival and rapid consolidation of the German Bahá’í community after the prolonged and terrible ordeals to which it has been subjected is a striking evidence of the irresistible power of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, as well as a magnificent testimony to the vitality of the faith of the German believers. I feel proud and profoundly thankful for the loyalty, the perseverance, the resolution, the unity, the zeal and the devotion which characterize their collective efforts and corporate life in the service of this glorious Cause. The prompt establishment of the national Hazíratu’l-Quds in the city of Frankfurt; the rapid translation, publication and dissemination of Bahá’í literature; the multiplication of Bahá’í centers, whether groups or assemblies; the consolidation of the institution of the Summer School; the initiation of effective measures aimed at a close collaboration with the American European Teaching committee; the proclamation of the teachings of the Faith to the spiritually famished, the disillusioned and longsuffering masses—these stand out as the primary and urgent tasks that demand the immediate, the earnest and undivided attention of your assembly. I will pray for your success from the depths of my heart and feel confident that the dearly-beloved heroic German believers will arise, as one man and despite the obstacles confronting them, to achieve these immediate tasks that constitute only a prelude to the tremendous enterprises which it is their destiny to accomplish in the years to come.

Your true brother,Shoghi

Letter of 4 June 1947 (Convention)4 June 1947 (Convention)Dear Bahá’í Friends:It was with great joy that our beloved Guardian received your loving message dated April 26th, and signed by so many of the dear believers. He has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.The re-florescence of the Holy and beloved Faith in Germany, after so many bitter years of suppression and suffering, has brought great happiness to not only his heart but to the hearts of the Bahá’ís all over the world.That you should be able, in relatively so short a period of time, and in the face of so many obstacles, to reconstitute your assemblies and National Assembly, be in a position to elect new assemblies, and to hold your Summer School and various conferences, all point the way to a brilliant future for the German followers of the Cause of God.He urges you individually and collectively to teach the Faith constantly to your spiritually starved countrymen, to support and assist your National Assembly in carrying out its heavy responsibilities and to do all in your power to hasten the day when a befitting National Headquarters, situated in Frankfurt a.M., will have been purchased and established, one that will be commensurate with the importance of the German Bahá’í Community, the strongest and largest on the Continent of Europe.You may rest assured that his loving and ardent prayers are offered for your progress and success in the Holy Shrines....[From the Guardian:]Dearly beloved friends and co-workers:I was deeply touched by your message, and I greatly value the sentiments you have expressed, the zeal and unity you demonstrate, the deeds you accomplish, the plans you have conceived, and above all the spirit you so powerfully manifest in your diligent labours for the spread and consolidation of our beloved Faith in your promising country. The German Bahá’í community, emerging triumphantly from one of the severest ordeals that have afflicted any of its sister-communities in East or West, now stands on the threshold of a new era in its development. Great tasks confront it. The establishment of a befitting administrative centre in the heart of that country, the multiplication of groups and assemblies, the dissemination of Bahá’í literature and the proclamation of the Faith to the masses are among the most urgent, the most vital and outstanding of these tasks. The entire community, however difficult the present circumstances, must arise and carry them out. Its future as prophecied by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is glorious. Its spirit is magnificent. Its members are distinguished among the followers of the Faith throughout the world by their tenacity, their thoroughness, their great capacity and resourcefulness. Our beloved Master, who watches over them, has greatly praised them, loves them dearly, is ready to bless their labours and reinforce their exertions. Its members must rise to the height of their present and priceless opportunity. They will, I feel confident, prove themselves worthy of the great blessings showered upon them in the past by their Lord and Master.Affectionately,Shoghi

4 June 1947 (Convention)

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

It was with great joy that our beloved Guardian received your loving message dated April 26th, and signed by so many of the dear believers. He has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

The re-florescence of the Holy and beloved Faith in Germany, after so many bitter years of suppression and suffering, has brought great happiness to not only his heart but to the hearts of the Bahá’ís all over the world.

That you should be able, in relatively so short a period of time, and in the face of so many obstacles, to reconstitute your assemblies and National Assembly, be in a position to elect new assemblies, and to hold your Summer School and various conferences, all point the way to a brilliant future for the German followers of the Cause of God.

He urges you individually and collectively to teach the Faith constantly to your spiritually starved countrymen, to support and assist your National Assembly in carrying out its heavy responsibilities and to do all in your power to hasten the day when a befitting National Headquarters, situated in Frankfurt a.M., will have been purchased and established, one that will be commensurate with the importance of the German Bahá’í Community, the strongest and largest on the Continent of Europe.

You may rest assured that his loving and ardent prayers are offered for your progress and success in the Holy Shrines....

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly beloved friends and co-workers:

I was deeply touched by your message, and I greatly value the sentiments you have expressed, the zeal and unity you demonstrate, the deeds you accomplish, the plans you have conceived, and above all the spirit you so powerfully manifest in your diligent labours for the spread and consolidation of our beloved Faith in your promising country. The German Bahá’í community, emerging triumphantly from one of the severest ordeals that have afflicted any of its sister-communities in East or West, now stands on the threshold of a new era in its development. Great tasks confront it. The establishment of a befitting administrative centre in the heart of that country, the multiplication of groups and assemblies, the dissemination of Bahá’í literature and the proclamation of the Faith to the masses are among the most urgent, the most vital and outstanding of these tasks. The entire community, however difficult the present circumstances, must arise and carry them out. Its future as prophecied by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is glorious. Its spirit is magnificent. Its members are distinguished among the followers of the Faith throughout the world by their tenacity, their thoroughness, their great capacity and resourcefulness. Our beloved Master, who watches over them, has greatly praised them, loves them dearly, is ready to bless their labours and reinforce their exertions. Its members must rise to the height of their present and priceless opportunity. They will, I feel confident, prove themselves worthy of the great blessings showered upon them in the past by their Lord and Master.

Affectionately,Shoghi

Letter of 19 June 194719 June 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your loving message, sent to our beloved Guardian on the occasion of the celebration of his twenty-five years of Guardianship, reached him and touched him very much indeed.He feels a special affection for the Esslingen Community, as it is not only one of the oldest ones in Germany but he associates it with the important Summer School held in its neighbourhood.Your love for and devotion to our glorious Faith are greatly appreciated, and the many services that members of your Community have rendered, and are rendering it, deeply valued.He assures you all he will pray for the success of your labours in the Holy Shrines, and that Bahá’u’lláh may increase your numbers and richly bless you all....[From the Guardian:]May the Beloved bless your efforts, guide your steps, remove every obstacle that impedes the growth of your Community, and assist you to proclaim the truths of His Faith and consolidate its institutions,Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

19 June 1947

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your loving message, sent to our beloved Guardian on the occasion of the celebration of his twenty-five years of Guardianship, reached him and touched him very much indeed.

He feels a special affection for the Esslingen Community, as it is not only one of the oldest ones in Germany but he associates it with the important Summer School held in its neighbourhood.

Your love for and devotion to our glorious Faith are greatly appreciated, and the many services that members of your Community have rendered, and are rendering it, deeply valued.

He assures you all he will pray for the success of your labours in the Holy Shrines, and that Bahá’u’lláh may increase your numbers and richly bless you all....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless your efforts, guide your steps, remove every obstacle that impedes the growth of your Community, and assist you to proclaim the truths of His Faith and consolidate its institutions,

Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

Letter of 24 June 194724 June 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letter, dated June 16th, has been received, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.He can quite well understand that after so many years of isolation from the rest of the Bahá’í world it came as a surprise to some of you to hear that we, as Bahá’ís, must not have any affiliations with churches or political parties. But he feels certain that when you meditate on this matter you yourselves will see the wisdom of it. We, as Bahá’ís, can never be known as hypocrites or as people insincere in their protestations and because of this we cannot subscribe to both the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and ordinary church dogma. The churches are waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ; we believe He has come again in the Glory of the Father. The churches teach doctrines—various ones in various creeds—which we as Bahá’ís do not accept; such as the bodily Resurrection, confession, or, in some creeds, the denial of the Immaculate Conception. In other words there is no Christian church today whose dogmas we, as Bahá’ís can truthfully say we accept in their entirety—therefore to remain a member of the Church is not proper for us, for we do so under false pretences. We should, therefore, withdraw from our churches but continue to associate, if we wish to, with the church members and ministers.Our belief in Christ, as Bahá’ís, is so firm, so unshakable and so exalted in nature that very few Christians are to be found nowadays who love Him and reverence Him and have the faith in Him that we have. It is only from the dogmas and creeds of the churches that we dissociate ourselves; not from the spirit of Christianity.Very much the same reasons motivate us in withdrawing from all political movements, however close some of their ideals may be to ours. We Bahá’ís are one the world-over, we are seeking to build up a New World Order, Divine in origin. How can we do this if every Bahá’í is a member of a different political party—some of them diametrically opposed to each other? Where is our unity then? We would be divided because of politics, against ourselves, and this is the opposite of our purpose. Obviously if one Bahá’í in Austria, is given freedom to choose a political party and join it, however good its aims may be, another Bahá’í in Japan, or America or India, has the right to do the same thing, and he might belong to a party the very opposite in principle to that which the Austrian Bahá’í belongs to. Where would be the unity of the Faith then? These two spiritual brothers would be working against each other, because of their political affiliations (as the Christians of Europe have been doing in so many fratricidal wars).The best way for a Bahá’í to serve his country and the world is to work for the establishment of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order, which will gradually unite all men and do away with divisive political systems and religious creeds.He does not force you to do this at once; but urges you all to decide to withdraw from your churches and political groups within, say, a year, and then to help each other to do this. You will find your spiritual strength greater for taking this step.Please assure dear Mrs. Schwarz of his loving prayers on her behalf.He will also pray for you all in the Holy Shrines, and urges you to persevere in your services to our beloved Faith....[From the Guardian:]Dear and valued co-workers:I was so pleased to receive your message and so thankful for the evidences of devotion, of determination and love it contained. The Austrian believers are dear and near to my heart, and I deeply sympathize with them in the ordeal and tribulations which they have suffered, and which have demonstrated the quality of their faith and the depth of their devotion. The funds accumulated for their relief and for the development of the Faith in their land will, I trust, be soon forwarded to them, and will no doubt greatly contribute to the rehabilitation and growth of their beloved community. Persevere in your meritorious labours, and rest assured that you are often in my thoughts and prayers, and that I will continue to supplicate for you all the Master’s richest blessings.Your true and grateful brother,ShoghiP.S. He feels that the German and Austrian believers are one in language and that the Austrian friends should consider the N.G.R. as their National Assembly, the same as before the war. We are Bahá’ís and have no nationalistic feelings in such matters. Our ties are purely spiritual. But you can consult the European Teaching Committee if the NGR is too difficult at present. The Guardian wishes you to know that as soon as there are a sufficient number of Bahá’í assemblies in Austria she will naturally have her own NGR.

24 June 1947

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter, dated June 16th, has been received, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

He can quite well understand that after so many years of isolation from the rest of the Bahá’í world it came as a surprise to some of you to hear that we, as Bahá’ís, must not have any affiliations with churches or political parties. But he feels certain that when you meditate on this matter you yourselves will see the wisdom of it. We, as Bahá’ís, can never be known as hypocrites or as people insincere in their protestations and because of this we cannot subscribe to both the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and ordinary church dogma. The churches are waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ; we believe He has come again in the Glory of the Father. The churches teach doctrines—various ones in various creeds—which we as Bahá’ís do not accept; such as the bodily Resurrection, confession, or, in some creeds, the denial of the Immaculate Conception. In other words there is no Christian church today whose dogmas we, as Bahá’ís can truthfully say we accept in their entirety—therefore to remain a member of the Church is not proper for us, for we do so under false pretences. We should, therefore, withdraw from our churches but continue to associate, if we wish to, with the church members and ministers.

Our belief in Christ, as Bahá’ís, is so firm, so unshakable and so exalted in nature that very few Christians are to be found nowadays who love Him and reverence Him and have the faith in Him that we have. It is only from the dogmas and creeds of the churches that we dissociate ourselves; not from the spirit of Christianity.

Very much the same reasons motivate us in withdrawing from all political movements, however close some of their ideals may be to ours. We Bahá’ís are one the world-over, we are seeking to build up a New World Order, Divine in origin. How can we do this if every Bahá’í is a member of a different political party—some of them diametrically opposed to each other? Where is our unity then? We would be divided because of politics, against ourselves, and this is the opposite of our purpose. Obviously if one Bahá’í in Austria, is given freedom to choose a political party and join it, however good its aims may be, another Bahá’í in Japan, or America or India, has the right to do the same thing, and he might belong to a party the very opposite in principle to that which the Austrian Bahá’í belongs to. Where would be the unity of the Faith then? These two spiritual brothers would be working against each other, because of their political affiliations (as the Christians of Europe have been doing in so many fratricidal wars).

The best way for a Bahá’í to serve his country and the world is to work for the establishment of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order, which will gradually unite all men and do away with divisive political systems and religious creeds.

He does not force you to do this at once; but urges you all to decide to withdraw from your churches and political groups within, say, a year, and then to help each other to do this. You will find your spiritual strength greater for taking this step.

Please assure dear Mrs. Schwarz of his loving prayers on her behalf.

He will also pray for you all in the Holy Shrines, and urges you to persevere in your services to our beloved Faith....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

I was so pleased to receive your message and so thankful for the evidences of devotion, of determination and love it contained. The Austrian believers are dear and near to my heart, and I deeply sympathize with them in the ordeal and tribulations which they have suffered, and which have demonstrated the quality of their faith and the depth of their devotion. The funds accumulated for their relief and for the development of the Faith in their land will, I trust, be soon forwarded to them, and will no doubt greatly contribute to the rehabilitation and growth of their beloved community. Persevere in your meritorious labours, and rest assured that you are often in my thoughts and prayers, and that I will continue to supplicate for you all the Master’s richest blessings.

Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

P.S. He feels that the German and Austrian believers are one in language and that the Austrian friends should consider the N.G.R. as their National Assembly, the same as before the war. We are Bahá’ís and have no nationalistic feelings in such matters. Our ties are purely spiritual. But you can consult the European Teaching Committee if the NGR is too difficult at present. The Guardian wishes you to know that as soon as there are a sufficient number of Bahá’í assemblies in Austria she will naturally have her own NGR.

Letter of 27 September 1947 (Summer School)27 September 1947 (Summer School)Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letters to our beloved Guardian reached him through Mr. ..., and he was delighted to see that so many believers had been able to attend the school at Esslingen this summer.It shows the vitality of the German Bahá’ís and their intense desire to further the interests of our glorious Faith in Germany, and build up its institutions.He urges you all, in your work for the Cause in your local Communities, to stress the need for the greatest love and unity amongst the Bahá’ís themselves. It is this love and spiritual solidarity that is so sadly lacking in the world today, and for which its people are starving. When they see within the Bahá’í Community the true spirit of brotherhood exemplified, they will turn to Bahá’u’lláh and embrace His Message.He also urges you to exert yourselves ceaselessly in the teaching field, and build up new Bahá’í centers, establish new spiritual assemblies, and convert the existing groups into assemblies by April of next year.The Cause, we know, has a great future in Germany, and he assures you all he is constantly praying for the success of your devoted labours....[From the Guardian:]Dear co-workers:Your messages, eloquently testifying to the dynamic faith which inspires and sustains the German Bahá’í Community, now triumphantly emerging from its long and severe ordeal, rejoiced my heart, and served to deepen my feelings of affection and admiration for its members. You who now stand on the threshold of a new era, have great tasks ahead of you and a glorious mission to fulfil. The institutions you are now initiating and developing will no doubt enable you to achieve speedily and effectively your goal. The Beloved is watching over you. His love surrounds you, and His spirit sustains and guides you. Persevere in your glorious task. Rest assured that my prayers will continue to be offered on your behalf, and be confident that Bahá’u’lláh will aid you to achieve ultimate victory.Shoghi

27 September 1947 (Summer School)

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letters to our beloved Guardian reached him through Mr. ..., and he was delighted to see that so many believers had been able to attend the school at Esslingen this summer.

It shows the vitality of the German Bahá’ís and their intense desire to further the interests of our glorious Faith in Germany, and build up its institutions.

He urges you all, in your work for the Cause in your local Communities, to stress the need for the greatest love and unity amongst the Bahá’ís themselves. It is this love and spiritual solidarity that is so sadly lacking in the world today, and for which its people are starving. When they see within the Bahá’í Community the true spirit of brotherhood exemplified, they will turn to Bahá’u’lláh and embrace His Message.

He also urges you to exert yourselves ceaselessly in the teaching field, and build up new Bahá’í centers, establish new spiritual assemblies, and convert the existing groups into assemblies by April of next year.

The Cause, we know, has a great future in Germany, and he assures you all he is constantly praying for the success of your devoted labours....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-workers:

Your messages, eloquently testifying to the dynamic faith which inspires and sustains the German Bahá’í Community, now triumphantly emerging from its long and severe ordeal, rejoiced my heart, and served to deepen my feelings of affection and admiration for its members. You who now stand on the threshold of a new era, have great tasks ahead of you and a glorious mission to fulfil. The institutions you are now initiating and developing will no doubt enable you to achieve speedily and effectively your goal. The Beloved is watching over you. His love surrounds you, and His spirit sustains and guides you. Persevere in your glorious task. Rest assured that my prayers will continue to be offered on your behalf, and be confident that Bahá’u’lláh will aid you to achieve ultimate victory.

Shoghi

Letter of 24 October 194724 October 1947Dear Bahá’í Friends:Your letters to our beloved Guardian, dated Dec. 4th, 1946, Jan. 6th, March 19th, June 15th, Aug. 27th and Sept. 28th, 1947, have all been received, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf. He has also received a letter, on behalf of your secretary, written by Dr. Köller-Jager, and enclosing an English translation of your minutes. This was dated March 13th.In regard to the various matters you have raised in these letters:He noted the report of Mrs Grossmann about her meeting with the grandchild of Subh-i-Azal. He feels that the friends should as much as possible avoid her, as it is very unlikely she has anything but prejudice against Bahá’u’lláh, in view of her background.He deeply appreciated the message of love and loyalty you sent him on the occasion of the celebration of twenty-five years of Guardianship.He is extremely pleased to see the way the Cause is spreading in Germany, and the steady growth in the number of the assemblies there. This would be a remarkable achievement under normal circumstances, but in view of the weakened state of the health of the Bahá’ís and the hardships they and their countrymen are undergoing, it is little short of heroic. The Bahá’ís everywhere are watching the labours of their German brothers and sisters with deep admiration.Concerning your question about forming Spiritual Assemblies this year as soon as circumstances permit, and without waiting until April 21st, 1948: he does not think this advisable. In order to encourage the German friends, so long oppressed and prevented from serving, he made an exception last year, but this year he feels all assemblies should wait until April to hold their elections. He has recently advised the European Teaching Committee to do likewise, as some of the pioneers were eager to form assemblies as soon as 9 Bahá’ís existed in a city of one of the goal countries!He is pleased to hear you have strengthened and assisted the Nuremberg Bahá’ís, and that there are now so many there. Also he is glad to hear you are protecting them and the Cause from the misrepresentations and ambitions of Mr. ... Great vigilance and wisdom is required in such matters.Regarding the publication of books for use in Germany in Switzerland: he feels that this is out of the question at present, owing to the fact that the exchange of Persian into Swiss money, (providing it could be made at all), would be prohibitively expensive. You would lose far too much this way. He, therefore, suggests that you get in touch with Mr. David Hofman of England, who is a publisher in a small way, and very anxious to be of help in printing Bahá’í Literature. He is a member of the British N.S.A., and if you arrange some satisfactory way of having him print books or booklets for you, it will be easier and cheaper to transfer some of the money from Ṭihrán, for this purpose, to England. The Guardian has already written Mr. Hofman he favours his doing this, if you and he can agree.Unfortunately, owing to the fall in the value of the pound, the conversion of Persian money into American dollars involves considerable loss. In view of this the Guardian is going to instruct Mr. Varqá in Ṭihrán to send to the American N.S.A. five hundred pounds for the purpose of buying Care Packages, which will be sent to you for your use in securing the National Headquarters.There is, in the special Fund held in Ṭihrán on behalf of your assembly, about ten thousand pounds. He feels you should spend a third of this on your National Headquarters. But, as mentioned above, he advises you to try and go ahead with the preliminary arrangements through using five hundred pounds in Care packages, and thus not lose too much of this money through the poor exchange at this time.He leaves details of this matter to the discretion of your assembly, and hopes you will keep him informed of what action you have taken, and of the progress made in obtaining the National Headquarters.He assures you all of his admiration for your steadfast labours to protect and promote every interest of our beloved Faith in Germany, and of his loving and ardent prayers for the success of your work....[From the Guardian:]Dearly-beloved Friends:The spirit which the entire body of the German believers have displayed, despite the hardships and trials which they have heroically endured, and are still enduring, is a magnificent example to their fellow-workers in both the East and the West, a source of great inspiration to me, and a magnet that will powerfully attract the blessings of the Almighty. My thoughts, though I myself am immersed in an ocean of work and preoccupations, often turn in loving admiration and gratitude to those who, for more than a decade, have in the face of constant peril, held fast to the Faith of God, who have survived the greatest ordeal that has ever afflicted the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in the West, and who are now forging ahead, united, resolved and consecrated, in the path leading to still greater victories.I rejoice to learn of the preliminary steps that are being taken to enable the dearly beloved and highly promising German Bahá’í Community to own its first National Hazíratu’l-Quds in the heart of that sorely-tried country. The utmost effort should be exerted to complete the present negotiations, and to initiate the national activities in that centre. I will, for my part, assist in any way possible, your assembly, in the historic enterprise which it has launched, and feel confident that the Beloved will bless your efforts, fulfil your highest expectations in this vital sphere of Bahá’í activity.The dissemination of Bahá’í literature, is moreover, a matter of vital importance, which must be promoted by every means at your disposal. The multiplication of Bahá’í centres, the formation of new assemblies, the consolidation of newly-established groups, constitute, likewise, the primary objective of your assembly, demanding constant exertion, watchfulness and guidance on your part, as well as full support and still greater sacrifice by the rank and file of the believers.The promotion of the interests of the Austrian believers, owing to their proximity to your country, their past association with you and their practical isolation from the Bahá’í centres in East and West, should be regarded as one of your outstanding tasks, and I trust that every obstacle will be surmounted, enabling you to enrich thereby the record of your distinguished services to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.The path you are treading is hard and stony and beset with many pitfalls. The tasks you are called upon to discharge are varied, complex, urgent and gigantic. The resources at your disposal are meagre. The hour, however, for raising the call of Bahá’u’lláh is propitious. The hearts of your countrymen, prepared by bewilderment and suffering, are ready to respond to His message. You stand at the threshold of a new and glorious era in the evolution of His Faith in that land. The opportunities of the present hour are priceless and may never recur again. Time is pressing. The eyes of your fellow-workers in both Hemispheres are fixed upon you. Our beloved Master who showered, through His visit and His messages to you, so much love and encouragement and so many blessings, is watching over you from on high, ready to sustain your efforts and lead you on to victory.That you may rise to still greater heights of heroism, that you may discharge befittingly your sacred responsibilities, that you may adorn the annals of your Faith with still greater evidences of your devotion, courage and perseverance, that you may achieve your high destiny as the torch-bearers of the light of Divine Guidance to the neighbouring countries in that continent, is the object of my fervent prayers at the holy shrines, and the dearest wish of my heart.Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

24 October 1947

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letters to our beloved Guardian, dated Dec. 4th, 1946, Jan. 6th, March 19th, June 15th, Aug. 27th and Sept. 28th, 1947, have all been received, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf. He has also received a letter, on behalf of your secretary, written by Dr. Köller-Jager, and enclosing an English translation of your minutes. This was dated March 13th.

In regard to the various matters you have raised in these letters:

He noted the report of Mrs Grossmann about her meeting with the grandchild of Subh-i-Azal. He feels that the friends should as much as possible avoid her, as it is very unlikely she has anything but prejudice against Bahá’u’lláh, in view of her background.

He deeply appreciated the message of love and loyalty you sent him on the occasion of the celebration of twenty-five years of Guardianship.

He is extremely pleased to see the way the Cause is spreading in Germany, and the steady growth in the number of the assemblies there. This would be a remarkable achievement under normal circumstances, but in view of the weakened state of the health of the Bahá’ís and the hardships they and their countrymen are undergoing, it is little short of heroic. The Bahá’ís everywhere are watching the labours of their German brothers and sisters with deep admiration.

Concerning your question about forming Spiritual Assemblies this year as soon as circumstances permit, and without waiting until April 21st, 1948: he does not think this advisable. In order to encourage the German friends, so long oppressed and prevented from serving, he made an exception last year, but this year he feels all assemblies should wait until April to hold their elections. He has recently advised the European Teaching Committee to do likewise, as some of the pioneers were eager to form assemblies as soon as 9 Bahá’ís existed in a city of one of the goal countries!

He is pleased to hear you have strengthened and assisted the Nuremberg Bahá’ís, and that there are now so many there. Also he is glad to hear you are protecting them and the Cause from the misrepresentations and ambitions of Mr. ... Great vigilance and wisdom is required in such matters.

Regarding the publication of books for use in Germany in Switzerland: he feels that this is out of the question at present, owing to the fact that the exchange of Persian into Swiss money, (providing it could be made at all), would be prohibitively expensive. You would lose far too much this way. He, therefore, suggests that you get in touch with Mr. David Hofman of England, who is a publisher in a small way, and very anxious to be of help in printing Bahá’í Literature. He is a member of the British N.S.A., and if you arrange some satisfactory way of having him print books or booklets for you, it will be easier and cheaper to transfer some of the money from Ṭihrán, for this purpose, to England. The Guardian has already written Mr. Hofman he favours his doing this, if you and he can agree.

Unfortunately, owing to the fall in the value of the pound, the conversion of Persian money into American dollars involves considerable loss. In view of this the Guardian is going to instruct Mr. Varqá in Ṭihrán to send to the American N.S.A. five hundred pounds for the purpose of buying Care Packages, which will be sent to you for your use in securing the National Headquarters.

There is, in the special Fund held in Ṭihrán on behalf of your assembly, about ten thousand pounds. He feels you should spend a third of this on your National Headquarters. But, as mentioned above, he advises you to try and go ahead with the preliminary arrangements through using five hundred pounds in Care packages, and thus not lose too much of this money through the poor exchange at this time.

He leaves details of this matter to the discretion of your assembly, and hopes you will keep him informed of what action you have taken, and of the progress made in obtaining the National Headquarters.

He assures you all of his admiration for your steadfast labours to protect and promote every interest of our beloved Faith in Germany, and of his loving and ardent prayers for the success of your work....

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly-beloved Friends:

The spirit which the entire body of the German believers have displayed, despite the hardships and trials which they have heroically endured, and are still enduring, is a magnificent example to their fellow-workers in both the East and the West, a source of great inspiration to me, and a magnet that will powerfully attract the blessings of the Almighty. My thoughts, though I myself am immersed in an ocean of work and preoccupations, often turn in loving admiration and gratitude to those who, for more than a decade, have in the face of constant peril, held fast to the Faith of God, who have survived the greatest ordeal that has ever afflicted the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in the West, and who are now forging ahead, united, resolved and consecrated, in the path leading to still greater victories.

I rejoice to learn of the preliminary steps that are being taken to enable the dearly beloved and highly promising German Bahá’í Community to own its first National Hazíratu’l-Quds in the heart of that sorely-tried country. The utmost effort should be exerted to complete the present negotiations, and to initiate the national activities in that centre. I will, for my part, assist in any way possible, your assembly, in the historic enterprise which it has launched, and feel confident that the Beloved will bless your efforts, fulfil your highest expectations in this vital sphere of Bahá’í activity.

The dissemination of Bahá’í literature, is moreover, a matter of vital importance, which must be promoted by every means at your disposal. The multiplication of Bahá’í centres, the formation of new assemblies, the consolidation of newly-established groups, constitute, likewise, the primary objective of your assembly, demanding constant exertion, watchfulness and guidance on your part, as well as full support and still greater sacrifice by the rank and file of the believers.

The promotion of the interests of the Austrian believers, owing to their proximity to your country, their past association with you and their practical isolation from the Bahá’í centres in East and West, should be regarded as one of your outstanding tasks, and I trust that every obstacle will be surmounted, enabling you to enrich thereby the record of your distinguished services to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

The path you are treading is hard and stony and beset with many pitfalls. The tasks you are called upon to discharge are varied, complex, urgent and gigantic. The resources at your disposal are meagre. The hour, however, for raising the call of Bahá’u’lláh is propitious. The hearts of your countrymen, prepared by bewilderment and suffering, are ready to respond to His message. You stand at the threshold of a new and glorious era in the evolution of His Faith in that land. The opportunities of the present hour are priceless and may never recur again. Time is pressing. The eyes of your fellow-workers in both Hemispheres are fixed upon you. Our beloved Master who showered, through His visit and His messages to you, so much love and encouragement and so many blessings, is watching over you from on high, ready to sustain your efforts and lead you on to victory.

That you may rise to still greater heights of heroism, that you may discharge befittingly your sacred responsibilities, that you may adorn the annals of your Faith with still greater evidences of your devotion, courage and perseverance, that you may achieve your high destiny as the torch-bearers of the light of Divine Guidance to the neighbouring countries in that continent, is the object of my fervent prayers at the holy shrines, and the dearest wish of my heart.

Your true and grateful brother,Shoghi

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