LETTER OF 14 SEPTEMBER 1932

14 September 1932

Dear Dr. Muhlschlegel:

I am in receipt of your letter dated September 4th 1932. Regarding your question on the subject of holding the usual festivals during this year when we are mourning the loss of the Greatest Holy Leaf; inasmuch as Shoghi Effendi has not yet returned from his summer vacations I cannot put your question to him and answer you immediately. The friends in America, however, who were confronted with the same problem, put to him the same question by telegram. I could, therefore, do no better than send you a copy of Shoghi Effendi's answer. I believe it will give you the necessary guidance in solving your problem. His cable runs as follows:

Baha'i New York festive anniversaries should be suspended administrative gatherings including nineteen day feasts should be held with utmost simplicity....

LETTER OF 30 NOVEMBER 1932

30 November 1932

Dear Baha'i Brothers and Sisters:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your joint letter dated November 12th 1932 written on the occasion of the birthday of Baha'u'llah.

We should feel deeply gratified and thankful to G.o.d that at a time when all humanity seems to be struggling in despair we can come together and, with great a.s.surance, feast and be merry over the dawn of a new day; that in the darkness which envelops the world we see the approach of a new light and the breaking of a new era. This is a true blessing and a bounty from G.o.d to those who believe in Him and accept His Revelation.

To express our deep appreciation for this gift bestowed by G.o.d we should arise and spread this message of hope to the suffering humanity around us.

Such is the nature of this gift that the more we give from it to others the greater will be our remaining share. For what pleasure can compare the pleasure of bringing joy and hope to other hearts. The more we make others happy the greater will be our own happiness and the deeper our sense of having served humanity.

In his moments of prayer at the blessed Shrines, Shoghi Effendi will think of you all and ask G.o.d to guide and a.s.sist you in spreading His message throughout that land and the neighbouring countries. He trusts that, through your persistent efforts, innumerable souls will be guided to see the Truth and flock to its support....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-workers:

Your joint and welcome message brought strength and comfort to my sorrow-stricken heart. The burden of my sadness and grief has been considerably alleviated. I value the sentiments you have expressed. Each one of you is near and dear to my heart. I will continue to pray for you all, that the Beloved may protect, guide and bless you in your constant efforts for the spread of this mighty and precious Cause,

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 3 MAY 1933

3 May 1933

Dear Baha'i Brothers and Sisters:

The Guardian wishes me to thank you for your kind words of April 23, 1933, expressing the greetings of the season.

He is deeply gratified to learn that when the friends a.s.semble at such gatherings, and remember the occasion they are celebrating, they renew their determination to serve and ask G.o.d to shower upon them His infinite blessings and help them in the realization of their n.o.ble aim.

The more society is threatened by wars, and the more humanity is seen desperate before the problems that confront it, the more should the Baha'is take courage and redouble their energy in diffusing the teachings.

For it is only through such divine precepts that the world can obtain peace and tranquility, and become an environment within which man can spiritually progress and attain his n.o.ble destiny.

In his moments of prayer at the Blessed Shrines the Guardian will think of you all and ask G.o.d to guide and aid you in the service of His Faith. May through the light that emerges from your gatherings all the people of those regions receive the light of G.o.d and find their way towards eternal salvation....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved guide your steps, cheer your hearts, enable you to promote far and wide the interests of our beloved Faith and aid you to consolidate its rising inst.i.tutions,

Your true and affectionate brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 16 MAY 1933

16 May 1933

Dear Dr. Muhlschlegel:

The Guardian ... does sincerely hope that the reports we receive here about the sentiments rampant in Germany are untrue to fact, that it is a regeneration of the people rather than a retrogression towards a dead past. Because whatever we say of Germany, we have to admit that its people are endowed with a spiritual vitality quite superior to many other races.

Being in the heart of that populated continent and being inspired by such a strong religious spirit, Germany can easily achieve a wonderful task in regenerating the world. The eyes of the world are surely centered around it expecting to see what it will do.

Yet we Baha'is should remember that we stand above politics. That that field does not interest us; that we attribute importance to things of the spirit, that we await salvation to come from the Faith that burns in our hearts.

In his moments of prayer and meditation at the Blessed Shrines, the Guardian will think of you and the other friends in Germany and ask G.o.d to guide you and a.s.sist you in playing your important role of spiritualizing the whole world-so immersed at present in material pursuits and interests....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and precious co-worker:

I was so pleased to receive your letter. I long to hear more fully and more frequently from you. You are a tower of ... and a pillar of His Faith in that land. Germany has a glorious future under the banner of the Faith of Baha'u'llah. Its mission is to champion the cause of G.o.d in Europe and establish it firmly in the heart of that continent. The tests and trials which have beset the Faith in that land were necessary and providential.

It is for the German believers, who have weathered the storm, to arise and promote the Cause, to proclaim the non-political character of their Faith, to establish its nascent inst.i.tutions and prove by their words and acts their freedom from every taint of particularism and prejudice. May the Almighty guide their steps, sustain them in their efforts and bless their activities.

Shoghi

LETTER OF 14 JUNE 1933