The Unfolding Destiny of the British Bahai Community Part 18

24 January 1934(23)

Dear Baha'i Friend,

At the request of the Guardian I am sending you enclosed the programme of "The New Commonwealth", a society for the promotion of international law and order, having its headquarters in London, and which seems to have a wide and well selected members.h.i.+p. The Guardian wishes the British N.S.A.

to consider the possibility of their joining this organisation, and to carefully investigate whether any affiliation with that body involves any political allegiance or may indirectly and eventually lead to partic.i.p.ation in any form of political activity. In the contrary case, he strongly advises the N.S.A. to join that organisation, as he feels that in this way the friends can give a wide and effective publicity to the teachings of the Cause. Members.h.i.+p in non-political organisations of this type is, indeed, the best method of teaching indirectly the Message by making useful and frequent contacts with well-known and influential persons who, if not completely won to the Faith, can at least become of some effective use to it.

Trusting that you are in the best of health, and with the a.s.surance of Shoghi Effendi's ardent prayers on your behalf and on behalf of all the friends in London.

Yours in His Service,

Letter of 11 February 1934

11 February 1934

Dear Baha'i Friend,

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge on his behalf the receipt of your letters dated Jan. 20th and Feb. 2nd, 1934, all of which he read with deep interest. He has also received the text of the High Commissioner's reply to your pet.i.tion.

With regard to the "New Commonwealth" society he would advise the N.S.A.

to join it as soon as possible after having carefully ascertained that affiliation with such a body does not involve any political allegiance to any doctrine or group. As you have already stated this organisation is run on non-party lines. It would be, however, advisable that you should find out the real aims and objectives of the society and specially the methods it advocates for the carrying out of its ideals before definitely joining it.

The Guardian hopes that this will give the friends a further opportunity to make new contacts, and to draw more competent and sincere people to the Cause. He is fully alive to the difficulties facing the friends at the present time. But he would urge each and all to work harder than ever, and to persevere in order that the Faith may be better appreciated and understood by the public.

He will continue to supplicate on behalf of you all at the Holy Shrines, so that Baha'u'llah may sustain you in your efforts to spread His message.

With best wishes for Mr. Slade and yourself, Yours in His Service,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless richly your continued and self-sacrificing endeavours, restore your health, cheer your heart, and enable you to promote effectively the vital interests of our beloved Faith.

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

Letter of 5 May 1934

5 May 1934

Dear Baha'i Friend,

I wish to thank you in the name of the Guardian for your deeply appreciated letter of April 24th, as well as for the article on Jerusalem which appeared in "Time and Tide", all of which he greatly enjoyed reading.

In regard to Mr. Townshend's book(24) he wishes me to renew his request that your N.S.A. should seriously consider the ways and means for the speedy publication of this highly valuable work, the spread of which cannot but give an unprecedented publicity to the Faith. He values the efforts that have thus far been exerted to this end and particularly appreciates the careful attention you have given the matter and hopes that as a result of these combined efforts something truly substantial will be achieved.

Shoghi Effendi feels rather surprised that no acknowledgment has thus far been made of his last general letter, Feb. 8,(25) to the believers of the West, a copy of which was forwarded to you as secretary of the N.S.A. Will you please be kind enough to inform him whether the said doc.u.ment has reached you safely.

With the renewed a.s.surance of his best wishes and of his continued supplications for the speedy development of the Cause in your country.

Yours in His Service,

[From the Guardian:]

With the a.s.surance of my continued prayers for the extension of the range of your splendid activities and for the success of your constant and high endeavours,

Your true brother, Shoghi

Letter of 15 May 1934

15 May 1934

Dear Baha'i Friend,

The Guardian has received and deeply appreciated your message dated May 7th, and was gratified to learn of the results of your national Baha'i elections. He wishes me to convey to you, and to the remaining officers of the N.S.A. his hearty greetings, and his best wishes for the success and continued expansion of your Baha'i activities in this year. He is fervently praying for your guidance and a.s.sistance in all the various and historic steps you are taking for the spread and the consolidation of the Movement throughout Great Britain.

What the Guardian would strongly urge your National a.s.sembly to do in the next few months is a renewed and decisive effort for the speedy publication of Mr. Townshend's recent book on the Cause. Through the reading of such a challenging and scholarly work many will, undoubtedly, be awakened and stimulated, while others will be infuriated to the extent of virulently attacking the Faith. The unprecedented publicity which the Cause will be thus receiving will in itself const.i.tute an important step towards a wider and fuller recognition of the Movement by distinguished personalities, in both intellectual and social circles. Mr. Townshend's book is, indeed, very timely, and through it the friends and the non-believers will be given a new vision of the Cause. Shoghi Effendi is hoping that, as a result of his repeated requests, your N.S.A. will be stimulated to renew and persevere in their efforts in this vitally important matter.

With the renewed a.s.surance of his prayers on your behalf and on behalf of the friends in London.

Yours in His Service,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker,

I will fervently pray that the obstacles that stand in your way and which hinder the publication of Canon Townshend's splendid work will be completely and speedily surmounted. I antic.i.p.ate an outburst of interest and an unprecedented revival of activity as a direct result of the circulation of this notable work-a work which I trust will prove a landmark in the history of the Faith in your land.

Shoghi

Letter of 2 July 1934

2 July 1934

Dear Mrs. Slade,