LETTER OF 18 JANUARY 1947(21)

18 January 1947

Your welcome letters ... were received, together with the poems you enclosed in them...

He wishes me to a.s.sure you he will include some of the poems in the next volume of "Baha'i World"; it is, unfortunately, too late to get them into the latest number which is now being printed in America.

It seems now absolutely certain that our dear Baha'i sister, Lydia Zamenhof, lost her life in a gas-chamber during the war! It is a great loss, as she could have rendered the Faith many services in Europe in these past-war days! But her services to the Cause and her memory are imperishable!

He would be very pleased to receive an article from you about her for the next volume of Baha'i World, but not for the "In Memoriam" section. Also he regrets he will not be able to publish in the Baha'i World the In Memoriam article you sent about your dear parents. Only those people who have died in the period covered by each volume receive mention in that volume, and the next one will be for 194648!...

P.S. He is very happy to hear dear Mr. Zabih is meeting the friends there; you may be sure he will pray that the way may open for him to help you all in Germany at the present time and serve the Faith in England later on.

The Guardian a.s.sures you he is delighted to hear of the translations you have already made and are at present engaged upon; the German literature of the Faith is of the utmost importance, both because of the great future the Cause has there, and the fact that so many other Europeans read German. He hopes "Gleanings" and the "Dispensation" can soon be printed.

These matters you should refer to your Nat. Spiritual a.s.sembly.

[From the Guardian:]

My dear and valued co-worker:

I am so glad and grateful to learn of the activity and perseverance of the dear German believers, and of your own valued and constant services to our beloved Faith. You are, I a.s.sure you, often in my thoughts and prayers, and I prize the spirit that animates you in His service. I cherish the brightest hopes for the future of your historic work for the promotion of the Faith, and wish you to persevere and rest a.s.sured that the Beloved will continue to guide and sustain you, and will reward you abundantly for your high endeavours.

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 9 FEBRUARY 1947(22)

9 February 1947

He realizes that every effort the friends make in Germany these days is made in the face of great obstacles and at the cost of real sacrifice. But they must ever keep their goals in sight, and persevere for the sake of the Cause and for the sake of their fellow-countrymen who now, in their greatest hour of need, have the right to hear of Baha'u'llah Who alone can save the world and lead it to peace and happiness.

He will certainly pray that all obstacles may be soon overcome, and the printing work go ahead. He also hopes, and will pray, that the N.S.A. will make every effort to arrange its affairs so as to meet in Frankfurt. These things cannot be done over night, he fully realizes, but the believers must strive to accomplish them constantly.

The services which you and your dear family are so constantly rendering the Faith are very, very deeply appreciated by him. Be happy that G.o.d has enabled you to do so much for His Faith!

His loving prayers are with you all...

[From the Guardian:]

a.s.suring you of my abiding grat.i.tude for your constant and splendid services to our beloved Faith, and of my ardent prayers for your welfare and the realization of every hope you cherish for the advancement and consolidation of its new-born inst.i.tutions,

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 18 FEBRUARY 1947

18 February 1947

The Baha'i Community of Plochingen.

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letter dated Nov. 15th, 1946, written by your secretary, Mrs. Vio Henseler, was received by our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

He was very happy to see that so many of you are now active in the Holy Faith in Plochingen and holding your Feasts and meetings regularly in such a spirit of dedication and Baha'i love. This love and unity among the friends cannot but attract the blessings of Baha'u'llah upon your work for His Cause.

Now is the time to teach the hungry, war-disillusioned people of Germany the Message of G.o.d for this day. He urges you to redouble your efforts to attract and confirm new souls, and to teach them not only the spiritual aspects of the Faith but its World Order as well-for this Divine solution to the ills of mankind is what the people need to hear of.

He remembers the visit of Mrs. Henseler and Mrs. Victoria B. von Sigsfeld to Haifa, and is happy to hear both have been ceaselessly active in the Cause, the one until her death and the other up until the present day! To serve is indeed a blessed privilege!

You may be sure his loving prayers will be offered for you all and for the success of the work there...

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless your efforts, guide your steps in the path of service, and aid you to promote, effectively and at all times, the best interests of His Faith and its inst.i.tutions,

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 18 FEBRUARY 1947

18 February 1947

To the Baha'is of Rostock, Warnemunde and Schwerin.

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letter, dated Rostock Sept. 22nd and Schwerin Sept. 28th, 1946, was received, and it brought great joy to our Guardian's heart to see the names of so many of the dear friends who are now united and actively serving the Faith in far northern towns! He has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

Now that it is once more possible for you all to meet, he urges you to do so often, and to exert your utmost in spreading the Message of Baha'u'llah to those who are seeking the Truth-and there are many of them these days!

Likewise, he hopes you will be able to soon have three flourishing Spiritual a.s.semblies in those towns.

He will pray that this may speedily come about; he will also pray for you all, for your protection and success in all you do for the beloved Faith...

[From the Guardian:]