13 June 1947

He was happy to hear the message had been broadcast over the Radio Frankfurt, and hopes this teaching method can often be used, as it reaches the people in their homes and many of them would not attend public meetings.

The very encouraging report you sent him of the work in Germany was most welcome, and he wishes that the National Teaching Committee or the N.S.A.

would send him a statement showing how many Spiritual a.s.semblies there are, how many groups and how many isolated Baha'is, and in which cities and towns they are to be found, respectively.

Generally speaking his instructions to the American Baha'is and their N.S.A. are, whenever they concern administrative principles and procedure and general statements about and interpretations of the Faith, binding for all Baha'is everywhere. Naturally specific instructions to the American Baha'is are not applicable to other communities. "Baha'i Procedure", as Mr. Holley pointed out, is not binding on other National a.s.semblies, as many things in it are purely secondary rulings made by the American N.S.A.

to facilitate the work of the Cause under its jurisdiction.

The believers should certainly, under no circ.u.mstances, drink any alcoholic beverages as this has been forbidden in the Aqdas. Not all of its laws and precepts can be practiced at present; but those he has, in his instructions to America, laid down as applicable at present should be followed.

LETTER OF 4 JULY 1947

4 July 1947

Baha'i Gemeinde, Karlsruhe

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letter dated May 23rd was received by our beloved Guardian, and he wishes me to tell you all how very happy he was to hear that you now have a Spiritual a.s.sembly there. This is the beginning of your work-not the end of it!-and you may be sure his ardent and loving prayers will be offered for your success, and expansion, in the Holy Shrines.

He also takes this opportunity of thanking Mrs. Brauns-Forel for her letter and a.s.sures her of his prayers...

[From the Guardian:]

a.s.suring you of my loving prayers for your success, for the extension o f your valued activities, and the realization of your dearest hopes in the service of the Faith and its divinely appointed inst.i.tutions,

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 19 JULY 1947

19 July 1947

The Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Stuttgart

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letter of March 10th was received, and as our beloved Guardian was very busy he could not reply to you sooner. However, he has now instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He has no objection to the Stuttgart Baha'is arranging to have a center of their own on Mrs. Schwarz' land. As this was a spot visited by the beloved Master, it is all the more appropriate as a center for the Cause there.

He hopes that the Stuttgart friends will so arrange their affairs that this new undertaking will not prevent them from a.s.sisting the national interests of the Cause and spending them their full support.

His loving prayers are offered for you all, and for the success of the work you are doing there, which is so sacred and so vitally important...

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you in your meritorious and constant services to His glorious Faith, aid you to extend the range of your activities, to proclaim the truths of His Faith, multiply its inst.i.tutions, and consolidate its foundations,

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 27 SEPTEMBER 1947

27 September 1947

He was very distressed to learn of the conditions in Germany which you say are getting steadily worse. Both the beloved Guardian and the Persian N.S.A. have remitted sums to America for Care packages for the believers in Germany, and he hopes these will soon reach you.

In view of the great hardships the friends must endure he marvels at all that they are able to do for the Faith. He greatly admires their devotion, and prays ardently for the conditions they are living under to improve.

LETTER OF 14 NOVEMBER 1947

14 November 1947

He feels that, if your health is now sufficiently good for you to endure the rigours of life in Germany at the present time, it would certainly be rendering the Faith a great service for you to return to Berlin and inspire the believers there, and teach the Cause. In connection with the question you asked him about the advisability of putting on your house a name plate saying "Baha'i Buro", this is something you must get permission for either from the Spiritual a.s.sembly of Berlin (if it is functioning by the time you return) or the National a.s.sembly.

He was very happy to hear Herr Lehne is now so active in serving the Cause in Berlin and planning a large public meeting. When you write to him please a.s.sure him of the Guardian's appreciation and his prayers on his behalf.

LETTER OF 21 NOVEMBER 1947

21 November 1947

He is so very happy to hear that there(25) are now 36 believers there and new souls coming into the Faith all the time!

He was also delighted to learn that at last the National Hazira is secured. This is a most important step forwards, and will greatly enhance the prestige of the Faith in Germany.