Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your loving message of greeting, signed by so many names, reached our beloved Guardian, and he was very happy to see so many are active in the Faith there.

He hopes in April circ.u.mstances will permit the formation of a Spiritual a.s.sembly there, which will greatly a.s.sist you all in your devoted services to the Cause of G.o.d.

You may be sure in his visits to the Holy Shrines here he will remember you all in his prayers and pray for your welfare and success...

[From the Guardian:]

May the Spirit of Baha'u'llah sustain, guide and bless you, at all times and under all conditions, graciously a.s.sist you to enlarge the limits of the Faith, add to your numbers, deepen your understanding of its verities, and proclaim its principles far and wide.

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 2 JUNE 1948

2 June 1948

To the Baha'is of Esslingen who were present at the Naw-Ruz Feast, 105 B.E.

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your loving Naw-Ruz greeting only reached our beloved Guardian on May 31st, but he was very pleased to receive it, and to see that so many of the dear believers had gathered together to celebrate that happy Feast day.

In spite of the gloom which man's disobedience to the Divine Laws is creating throughout the world, the Baha'is must be courageous, joyous and ever-active in spreading the Message of Baha'u'llah, for in the end it will triumph and dispel the evil and sadness engulfing mankind.

He a.s.sures you all he will pray for the success of your Baha'i labours in the Holy Shrines...

[From the Guardian:]

May the Spirit of Baha'u'llah sustain, guide and protect you under all circ.u.mstances, cheer your hearts, enable you to extend continually the range of your activities, and aid you to win memorable victories for His Faith and its inst.i.tutions,

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 10 JUNE 1948(28)

10 June 1948

Your letters to our beloved Guardian ... were received, as well as the report of the persecution of the German Baha'is, and the greetings from the Teaching conference, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was very pleased to receive all the good news you conveyed to him, and the love and devotion with which you and your dear husband and family serve the Cause of G.o.d is a source of great comfort to him.

He would have answered you before, but pressure of work, and the recent very disturbed state of the country, has held up his correspondence. He hopes this letter will reach you safely.

The progress being made by the Faith in Germany is excellent. It is if at last the Cause were let out of the cage and can spread its wings there and fly-and the hearts of the German people are a very rich field in which to sow the Divine Seeds. He has always foreseen for Germany a great future in the Baha'i world...

He was particularly glad to hear the working people, the backbone of every nation, are receptive to the Cause and being taught.

LETTER OF 10 JUNE 1948(29)

10 June 1948

Unfortunately conditions here in Palestine were so disturbed and disorganized that the Guardian could not send a message as you requested, to the Esperanto Congress in Munich in May. He has been, and is, as you can well imagine, very concerned over the state of the Holy Land. But so far all has gone well, the Shrines have been protected, and the Baha'i Community respected here and a.s.sisted, by the new authorities.

It seems as if some time must elapse before pilgrims from anywhere can again visit here. But he hopes, at a future date, your heart's desire will be granted and you will be able to come to Haifa.

Unfortunately the American National Spiritual a.s.sembly has such a very heavy program to carry out at present, in the teaching field and in the decoration of the Temple, that many other projects must wait until more money is available. Printing Baha'i Literature is one of them. But he hopes in the near future some new editions can be gotten out.

LETTER OF 11 JUNE 1948

11 June 1948

Baha'i Jugend Esslingen

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your loving message to our beloved Guardian, dated Mulk 9th, 104, was received, and very much appreciated, and he was delighted to learn you had been able to hold such a large meeting for the Youth Symposium day.

He has been very busy lately, due to conditions here and the great amount of work there is to do, but nevertheless he wishes to answer your letter and a.s.sure you he will pray for your success, and that he is proud of your spirit and your devotion to the Faith...

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved of our hearts guide every step you take in the path of service, aid you to deepen your understanding of the essentials of His Faith, and promote, at all times, the best interests of its inst.i.tutions,

Your true brother, Shoghi