6 April 1956

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Enclosed is the beloved Guardian's message to all Baha'i Conventions. He would like you to please share it with the delegates and friends attending your National Convention.

He hopes it will stimulate the teaching work, and particularly the pioneer work....

LETTER OF 7 APRIL 1956

7 April 1956

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your loving letter of March 28th was duly received, carrying with it the strong spirit which animates the friends in Germany.

The answers to the questions which you raised in your letter are as follows:

The Guardian advises that he will leave to your discretion, just how the $1,000 which is available in America is to be used, in connection with the Endowment. In other words, you may purchase another piece of land for the $1,000; may apply it to repair of existing holdings, other than the Hazira, such as the House in Esslingen-or put it in the Temple Fund.

1. The goals of the Ten Year Crusade include the purchase of an endowment for Germany. By referring to page 72 of the British Statistical Book, issued at the beginning of the Ten Year Crusade, you will note, that Germany is listed as requiring an endowment. I think the a.s.sembly should correspond with the American National Spiritual a.s.sembly, so that the One Thousand Dollars which Mrs. Collins has made available may be sent to you.

2. The beloved Guardian advises that he has ... on his list of those who wish to make the pilgrimage. As soon as it is possible for them to come, he will inform them. You might explain to these dear friends that there are a great many Persian Baha'is who wish to make the pilgrimage; and the Guardian feels he must invite them on the basis of the date of their application. In other words, those who asked for permission first would be the first to be invited to make the pilgrimage.

3. I did not present to the Guardian the question of new Baha'is in Greece being allowed to remain in their church after they become Baha'is, because I knew there was no such situation existing. The Guardian does not wish to be asked to make rulings on situations which might develop. He has already enunciated very clearly the principle that when people become Baha'is, they should, if not immediately, then within a short time, leave the church. If there is any exception to be made to these rules, it would be on specific instances, and on specific application of a national a.s.sembly.

When the pioneers in Greece have any individuals ready to become Baha'is, and then if the church question is a deterring factor, perhaps at that time your a.s.sembly will wish to take the matter up with the Guardian. I am sure he would not want to issue a ruling on a possible future case.

If this handling is not satisfactory to your a.s.sembly, and you wish me to present the matter to the Guardian, in that event let me know and I will do so.

4. I hope some arrangement is worked out to handle the publication of Russian literature. It will be of advantage at this time for local teaching and therefore what can-should certainly be prepared. I did inform Mrs. Sommerau that I would see that her pamphlet was financed, and I have had some correspondence with her and Marion Little concerning the matter.

As developments occur, I will be glad to let you know....

The Guardian sends his loving Greetings to the members of the N.S.A.

LETTER OF 27 APRIL 1956

27 April 1956

Dear Baha'i Friends:

The Beloved Guardian has been giving very serious consideration to the model for the Temple to be built in Frankfurt.

He feels that the design No. 102-A, prepared by Architect Teuto Rocholl, is susceptible of development into the type of building which we wish.

The Guardian asks that you consult with the architect, asking him to submit a few modifications of the plan, simply in a rough pencil sketch, incorporating the following adjustments:

1. A third story should be provided without of course increasing the size of the building.

2. The building must be 9-sided instead of round.

3. A lantern should be placed on the top of the dome.

4. The dome should be more gracefully shaped, with a little more peak to the top.

5. It might be that some windows could be placed at the base of the dome, so as to give the impression of a clerestory.

The architect himself may have some other modifications that may occur to him as he sets up plans.

If you could have this matter handled as quickly as possible, the Guardian would be very appreciative. Time is running along very rapidly, and if an early start is not made on the building, it may be difficult to finish it during the Ten Year Plan.

The Guardian sends you his loving greetings....

LETTER OF 19 MAY 1956

19 May 1956

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Referring to your letter of May 5th, with regard to the model of the Temple. I cabled you May 14th, that the Guardian had not approved any design for the Temple. He simply felt that there was possibility of the design of Architect Rocholl, No. 102-A being developed into a suitable design. He has not been satisfied with the submissions, but when the revisions are sent by Mr. Rocholl, he will then reappraise all of them to see if any can be given further consideration.

Please refer to my letter of November 23, 1955, item 6, in which it is stated the Guardian felt "the cost should run about $300,000 or a little more; certainly on the outside, not more than $400,000." The Guardian has directed me to advise you, that he now feels the maximum which should be spent on the construction, is $300,000 and no more....

LETTER OF 19 MAY 1956

19 May 1956

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your loving letter of May 13th, has come to hand, and I am hastening to answer, particularly that portion dealing with the translations in Russian: