To the believers in Frankfurt.

Dear Baha'i Friends:

The beloved Guardian greatly appreciated your Ridvan Greetings, which were sent on the post card showing the Haziratu'l-Quds in Frankfurt.

This has been an especially wonderful Ridvan, marking as it does the ninetieth anniversary of the announcement of Baha'u'llah, and also the launching of the great World Crusade in addition to the 100th anniversary of the Intimation of Baha'u'llah's Prophetic Mission-in the Siyah-_Ch_al.

The Guardian speaks frequently of the German Baha'is, and of the great role they will have to play in the development of the Faith from now on.

He will pray that divine confirmations may reach you at all times, and that your efforts will be guided and confirmed.

LETTER OF 1 NOVEMBER 1953(40)

1 November 1953

Dear Baha'i Sister:

I am writing you this little note on behalf of our beloved Guardian to rea.s.sure you, as he has heard from one of the friends that sometimes you feel you have failed in your services to our glorious Faith.

He considers that you have no justification for ever having such dark thoughts. You have served the Cause of G.o.d unstintingly, and with complete loyalty and dedication year after year; and he feels confident that the Master has reserved a rich reward for you in the next world.

Your loving devotion, and the harmony that you are able to produce amongst the friends, is very essential for the work in such an important Center as Frankfurt, which will soon, in addition to its being the administrative center of the Faith in Germany, possess the first Baha'i Temple in Europe.

The Guardian, therefore, urges you to continue your work there amongst the friends with a cheerful and peaceful heart; and you may be sure he remembers you in his prayers in the Holy Shrine.

LETTER OF 8 FEBRUARY 1954(41)

8 February 1954

The sudden pa.s.sing of dear Dorothy Baker is indeed a great loss to the Faith, and leaves a sad gap in the ranks of the Hands of the Cause. She was exemplary in so many ways, and her services can ill be spared at this important period in Baha'i history.

No doubt there is a wisdom in such calamities; and through her death others may feel moved to become more consecrated to the service of the Faith. Surely such a soul's influence will continue to be felt in this world.

Your own constant and devoted labours for the promotion of the Cause of G.o.d, as well as those of your dear family, are very deeply appreciated by him, and you are often remembered in his prayers. He hopes that you are in good health; and urges you, while serving the Cause, not to neglect yourself. Old and experienced Baha'is, especially the Hands, are needed to strengthen the foundations of the Faith; and for the sake of the Cause, they must protect themselves.

LETTER OF 11 MAY 1954(42)

11 May 1954

As regards the question you asked in your letter about a concealed group of masters in the Himalayas or anywhere else, there is no foundation whatsoever for this in the Baha'i Writings. We as Baha'is must not believe in the divine origin of any such things which have not been mentioned in our own Sacred Scriptures by either the Bab, Baha'u'llah or the Master.

There is nothing whatsoever to lead us to believe that there is any foundation or truth in these mystical stories of beings that are "behind the scenes" so to speak. We must avoid such thoughts and teachings, and try to wean others away from them as we give them the Message....

He hopes that, now that a Board has been appointed by you and your fellow-Hands in Europe, the teaching work in the goal countries as well as in France and England will go forward much more rapidly; and also that the pioneers opening up the many new territories and islands in the Mediterranean and in the North Sea areas will likewise benefit greatly from the a.s.sistance this Board can give them ever increasingly.

LETTER OF 2 JUNE 1954

2 June 1954

Baha'i Group of Munich.

This is just a brief note to acknowledge, on behalf of the beloved Guardian, your letter of greeting, dated May 9th.

He was very happy to learn that such a study group now exists, and he hopes that each one of you will make a deep study of the Faith, so that you will be well prepared to take it to other friends there. The Guardian attaches the greatest importance to Munich, and he hopes others will be enkindled and confirmed, so that, within a short time, a Spiritual a.s.sembly may be established in your city....

[From the Guardian:]

a.s.suring you of my loving prayers for the success of your efforts for the promotion of our beloved Faith,

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 5 SEPTEMBER 1954(43)

5 September 1954

There can be no doubt that the opposition of the churches to the erection of the Baha'i Temple is a marked step forward in the progress of the Faith in Germany. He hopes, however, that the situation will never reach a point where the National Spiritual a.s.sembly has to go to the Federal Const.i.tutional Court or to UNO. This would be unwise and doubtful as to results. We are not yet ready for the publicity such a case would bring us-not to mention the increase in opposition it would lead to, and which would inevitably affect our work in the more backward countries where pioneers are so devotedly labouring to establish the Faith.

He is praying that a solution will be forthcoming in the near future and all complications avoided.

The German Baha'is must be very careful not to be involved in any way if this Temple issue gets into the hands of politicians. Nothing could be more dangerous for us!

He deeply appreciates the constant and devoted services you are rendering the Cause of G.o.d, in which you are so whole-heartedly supported by your dear family.

He sends you all his loving greetings, and prays for your health and the success of your labours to promote and to protect the Faith....