Bahá’í News/Inserts/Issue 177/Annual Baha’i Reports 1944-45 Section Two/Text
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ANNUAL BAHA’] REPORTS
Presented to the Baha’is of the United States and Canada for the Year
1944-1945
CONTENTS
Section Two
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE GUARDIAN
Baha’i House of Worship ...................... Frontispiece Messages to the Convention ... . .. 2... 260.2 cea Scene sees 3 Messages to the National Spiritual Assembly ............... 4 Messages Through His Secretary .............0.00.00000> ‘e
= Letters to Individuals (Published With the Guardian’s Consent) 9
Printed in the United States of America
IssvED BY
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada
536 SHerman Roap + Witmette, ILuinois
Baha’i House of Worship
“Conceived forty-one years ago; originating with the petition spontaneously addressed, in March, 1903 to ‘Abdu'l-Baha by the ‘House of Spirituality’ of the Baha’is of Chicago—the first Baha’i center established in the western world— the members of which, inspired by the example set by the builders of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkér of ‘Ishqabad, had appealed for permission to construct a similar Temple in America; blessed by His approval and high commendation in a Tablet revealed by Him in June of that same year . . . this enterprise— the crowning achievement of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Baha’u’llah in the first Baha’i century... .”
—Suocm Errenpt in God Passes By, pp. 348-349
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ANNUAL REPORTS
SECTION TWO 1944-1945
Communications From the
To the 1944 Convention
I advise you to share the following facts with the believers at Conven- tion celebrating the hundredth anni- versary of the Faith of Baha’u’llah.
Baha’is have established residence in seventy-eight countries, fifty-six of which are sovereign states. Baha’i literature has been translated and published in forty-one languages. Translations have been undertaken in twelve additional languages. Thirty-one races are represented in the Baha’i world community. Five National Assemblies and sixty-one local Assemblies belonging to ten countries are incorporated and le- gally empowered to hold property. The Baha’i international endow- ments held in the Holy Land are es- timated at a half million pounds sterling. National Baha’i endow- ments in the United States are esti- mated at one million, seven hundred thousand dollars.
The area of land in the Jordan Valley dedicated to the Baha'i Shrines is over five hundred acres. The site purchased for future Baha’i Temple of Persia comprises three and a half million square meters. The cost of the structure of the first Baha’i Temple in the West has been one million, three hundred thousand dollars.
In every state and province of North America Baha’i Assemblies are functioning. In thirteen hundred localities of the United States and Canada Baha'is reside. Baha’i Cen- ters have been established in every republic of Latin America, fifteen of which possess Spiritual Assemblies. The Faith in the Western Hemis- phere now stretches from Anchor- age, Alaska, to Magallanes, the world’s southernmost city. Sixty-two Centers have been established in In- dia, twenty-seven with Spiritual Assemblies.
Among the historic sites pur- chased in Persia are the Tihran home of Baha’u'llah, the Bab’s shop in Bushire, the burial place of Qud- dus, part of the village of Chiriq, three gardens in Badasht, and the place where Tahirih was confined.
Baha'i administrative headquarters have been founded in Tihran, Delhi, Cairo, Baghdad, Wilmette and Syd- ney. Baha’i endowments in the Holy Land and the United States have been exempted from taxes by the civil authorities. Civil recognition has been extended to Baha’i Assem- blies in five states of the United States to solemnize Baha’i mar- riages.
I suggest you utilize the above in-
formation for publicity purposes wherever advisable. - May 9, 1944
Hail with glad, grateful heart the historic Assembly of the elected rep- resentatives of the followers of the Faith of Baha'u'llah throughout the Western Hemisphere participating in the first All-America Conven- tion gathered in the vicinity of the first Baha’i Center of the Western World beneath the dome of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the West to commemorate alike the Anniversary of the founding of the Faith of Baha-
- u’llah and the Birth of ‘Abdu’l-Baha,
the Anniversary of its establishment in the Occident and to celebrate the completion of the exterior ornamen- tation of the most hallowed House ot Worship in the entire Baha’i world. I recall with profound emotion on this solemn, auspicious occasion the milestones in the progress of the community whose rise constitutes one of the noblest episodes in the his- tory of the First Baha’i Century. Called into being through the opera- tion of the will of the Center of Baha’u’llah’s Covenant, energized at the hour of its birth by dynamic spirit communicated to it by the band of first returning pilgrims, purged in its infancy by fiery tests involving the defection of its ac- knowledged founder, nursed through the dispatch of unnumbered Tablets by the vigilant Master, as well as by the successive messengers de- signed to support its infant strength, launched upon its rapid career through series of institutional acts and missionary journeys signalizing the first stirrings of its community
Guardian
life, infinitely enriched by priceless
benefits conferred upon its members
in the course of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s so-
journ in their midst, invested with a
unique mission through the revela-
tion of the Tablets of the Divine
Plan, firmly knit through processes
proclaiming the emergence of the
Divinely appointed Administrative
Order, immortalized through the
signal acts of its illustrious mem-
ber who succeeded in winning the
allegiance of royalty to its cause,
consummating its record of achieve-
ments through total victory of the
Seven Year Plan thereby sealing the
triumph of the first stage in the Mis-
sion bestowed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, this
repeatedly blessed, much envied
community deserves to be acclaimed
the Torchbearer of the civilization,
the foundations of which the Faith
of Baha’u’llah is destined unassail-
ably to establish in the course of the
Second Baha’i Century. I am moved
to pay a well deserved tribute at this
great turningpoint in the career of
sc privileged a community to the
gallant band of its apostolic founders
whose deeds heralded the dawn of
the Day of the Covenant in the West,
to its intrepid pioneers who labored
to enlarge the bounds of the Faith
in the five continents, to its in-
defatigable administrators whose
hands reared the fabric of the Ad-
ministrative Order, to its heroic
martyrs who followed in the foot-
steps of the Dawn-Breakers of the
heroic age, to its itinerant teach-
ers who with written and spoken
word pleaded its cause and repulsed
the attacks of its adversaries, to its
munificent supporters whose liberal-
ity accelerated the expansion of its
manifold activities, and last but not
least to the mass of its stout-hearted,
self-denying members whose strenu-
ous, ceaseless, concerted efforts so
decisively contributed to the consol-
idation and broadening of its founda-
tions. I desire to direct a particular
appeal to the Latin American repre-
sentatives participating in the Cen-
tennial Convention to deliberate on
measures to reinforce the ties bind-
ing them to their Sister Community,
unitedly devise means for the inau-
guration of teaching campaigns in
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their respective Republics, the dis- semination of Baha’{ literature, the multiplication of Bah4’i administra- tive centers as preliminary steps in the formation of Baha’i National Assemblies, and lend impetus to the prosecution of any _ enterprise launched to carry still further the Plan conceived by ‘Abdu’l-Baha for the American Baha’i Community. May 15, 1944
I am overjoyed by-the auspicious opening of the Centennial Conven- tion. The dearly-beloved American Baha’i community was remembered during the historic night of the glor- ious Declaration at the Bab’s Holy
Band’i AnnuaL Rerorts—1944-1945
Shrine. Announce to the friends the joyful tidings that the hundredth an- niversary of the Declaration of the Mission of the martyred Herald of the Faith was signalized by historic decision to complete the structure of His sepulcher erected by ‘Abdu’l- Baha on the site chosen by Baha- ’u’llah. The recently designed model of the dome_has been unveiled in the presence of assembled believers. Praying for early removal of ob- stacles to the consummation of the stupendous Plan conceived by the Founder of the Faith and the hopes cherished by the Center of His Cov- enant.
May 25, 1944
To the National Spiritual Assembly
Prayingfervently for newly- elected Assembly signal victories, abundant blessings in the opening year of the second Baha'i century. Deepest love.
May 26, 1944
The magnificent victories achieved in the teaching field and the sphere of administrative activity by the American Baha’i community crowned with glory the historic serv- ices rendered by the followers of Baha’u'lléh throughout the West dur- ing the last fifty years of the first Baha'i century. I rejoice in the bril- liant celebrations befittingly consum- mating the record of splendid achievements. Immediate attention should be focused in the course of the opening year of the Second Cen- tury on consolidation of the nobly- won victories through reinforcement of newly formed Assemblies, multi- plication of groups and increase in number of Assemblies as well as corresponding effort through Latin America. Praying for continuous flow of Divine outpourings.
May 27, 1944
The one remaining and indeed the most challenging task confronting the American Baha’i Community has at long last been brilliantly ac- complished. The structural basis of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Baha’u’llah has, through this superb victory, and on the very eve of the world-wide celebrations of the Centenary of His Faith, been firmly laid by the champion-build- ers of His World Order in every state of the Great Republic of the West and in every Province of the Dominion of Canada. In each of the Republics of Central and South America, moreover, the banner of His undefeatable Faith has been im- planted by the members of that
same community, while in no less than thirteen Republics of Latin America as well as in two Depen- dencies in the West Indies, Spiritual Assemblies have been established and are already functioning — a feat that has outstripped the goal originally fixed for the valiant members of that Community in their inter-continental sphere of Baha’i ac- tivity. The exterior ornamentation of the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkér of the West — the culmination of a forty year old enterprise repeatedly bless- ed and continually nurtured by ‘Ab- du’l-Baha has, furthermore, through a remarkable manifestation of the spirit of Baha'i solidarity and self- sacrifice so powerfully animating the members of that stalwart com- munity, been successfully complet- ed, more than a year in advance of the time set for its termination.
The triple task undertaken with such courage, confidence, zeal and determination — a task which ever since the inception of the Seven Year Plan has challenged and galvanized into action the entire body of the American believers and for the ef- ficient prosecution of which proc- esses of a divinely appointed Admin- istrative Order had, during no less than sixteen years, been steadily evolving—is now finally accom- plished and crowned with total vic- tory.
The greatest collective enterprise ever launched by the Western fol- lowers of Baha’u’llah and indeed ever undertaken by any Baha'i com- munity in the course of an entire century, has been gloriously con- summated. A victory of undying fame has marked the culmination of the fifty year long labors of the American Baha’i community in the service of Baha’u’llah and has shed
imperishable lustre on the immortal records of His Faith during the first hundred years of its existence. The exploits that have marked the prog- ress of this prodigious, this three- fold enterprise, covering a field stretching from Alaska in the North to the extremity of Chile in the South, affecting the destinies of so great a variety of peoples and na- tions, involving such a tremendous expenditure of treasure and effort, calling forth so remarkable a spirit of heroism and self-sacrifice, and undertaken notwithstanding the vi- cious assaults and incessant machi- nations of the breakers of ‘Abdu'l- Baha’s Covenant, and despite the perils, the trials and restrictions of a desolating war of unexampled se- verity, augur well for the successful prosecution, and indeed assure the ultimate victory, of the remaining stages of the Plan conceived, a quar- ter of a century ago, by ‘Abdu’l- Baha for the followers of Baha- ’u’llah in the North American con- tinent.
To the band of pioneers, whether
settlers or itinerant teachers, who
have forsaken their homes, who
have scattered far and wide, who
have willingly sacrificed their com-
fort, their health and even their lives
for the prosecution of this Plan; to
the several committees and their
auxiliary agencies that have been
entrusted with special and direct re-
sponsibility for its efficient and or-
derly development and who have
discharged their high responsibili-
ties with exemplary vigor, courage
and fidelity; to the national repre-
sentatives of the community itself,
who have vigilantly and tirelessly
supervised, directed and coordi-
nated the unfolding processes of this
vast undertaking ever since its in-
ception; to all those who, though not
in the forefront of battle, have
through their financial assistance
and through the instrumentality of
their deputies, contributed to the ex-
pansion and consolidation of the
Plan, I myself, as well as the entire
Baha'i world, owe a debt of grati-
tude that no one can measure or de-
seribe. To the sacrifices they have
made, to the courage they have so
consistently shown, to the fidelity
they have so remarkably displayed,
to the resourcefulness, the disci-
pline, the constancy and devotion
they have so abundantly demon-
strated, future generations viewing
the magnitude of their labors in their
proper perspective, will no doubt
pay adequate tribute—a tribute no
less ardent and well-deserved than
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the recognition extended by the pres-
ent-day builders of the World Order
of Baha’u’llah to the Dawn-Break-
ers, whose shining deeds have signal-
ized the birth of the Heroic Age of
His Faith.
To the elected representatives of all the Baha'i communities of the New World, assembled beneath the Dome of the Mother Temple of the West, on the occasion of the historic, first All-American Baha'i Conven- tion — a Convention at which every state and province in the North American continent is represented, in which the representatives of every Republic of Latin America have been invited to participate, whose delegates have been elected, for the first time in American Baha’i history, by all local communities already possessing Assemblies, by all groups and isolated believers throughout the United States and Canada, and whose proceedings will be for ever associated with the celebration of the Centenary of the Faith of Baha- ’u'llah, of the Hundredth anniversary of the birth of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Baha'i Faith in the Western Hemisphere, and of the completion of the exterior ornamentation of the First Mashriqu’l-Adh to all the privileged attendants of such an epoch-making Convention, I, on my own behalf, as well as in the name of all Baha’i Communities sharing with them, at this great turning point in the history of our Faith, the joys and triumphs of this solemn hour, feel moved to convey the expression of our loving admira- tion, our joy and our gratitude for the brilliant conclusion of what pos- terity will no doubt acclaim as one of the most stirring episodes in the history of the Formative Age of the Faith of Baha’u’lléh, as well as one of the most momentous enterprises undertaken during the entire course of the first Century of the Baha’i Era. Haifa, April 15, 1944
I rejoice in the success of the vitally needed, timely conference with Latin American representa- tives; greatly welcome the decisions reached and the plans formulated, The first year of the second Bah: century should witness the establish- ment of a Spiritual Assembly in every remaining Republic and be signalized by a steady increase in the number of pioneers for both Latin and North America; by a further multiplication of groups, a wider dissemination of Baha'i liter- ature in both Spanish and Portu- guese, closer relationships consoli-
Tue Guarpian
dating the communities and more effective contact by these communi- ties with the masses of the popula- tion and all races and classes. I am ardently praying for mighty victo- ries in every field as essential pre- liminary to the emergence of inde- pendent National Spiritual Assem- blies and as indispensable prelude to launching in other continents, soon after the termination of the world conflict, the second stage of the momentous World Plan so intimately associated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha with the future destinies of the illustrious American Baha’i Community,
July 17, 1944
The splendid and unique success that has attended the Centenary cele- brations so admirably conducted by the American Baha’i community, has befittingly crowned not only the fifty year record of services rendered by its valiant members, but the labors associated with the entire body of their fellow-workers in East and West in the course of an entire cen- tury. The consummation of the Seven Year Plan, immortalizing the fame of this richly blessed community, set the seal of complete spiritual triumph on these historic celebra- tions. A memorable chapter in the history of the Faith of Baha’u’lléh in the West has been closed. A new chapter is now opening, a chapter which, ere its termination, must eclipse the most shining victories won so heroically by those who have so fearlessly launched the first stage of the Great Plan conceived by ‘Abdu'l-Baha for the American be- lievers. The prizes won so painstak- ingly in both the North and South American continents must be pre- served at all costs. A mighty impetus should, at however great a sacrifice, be lent to the multiplication of Baha’i centers in Latin America, to the ex- pansion of Baha'i literature, to the translation of the Baha’i sacred writ- ings, to the proclamation of the veri- ties of the Faith to the masses, to the strengthening of the bonds bind- ing the newly-fledged communities to each other, and to the deepening of the spiritual life of their members.
The task so marvelously initiated in the Latin Republics must be fur- ther consolidated ere the prosecutors of the World Plan bequeathed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha can embark on further stages, of still greater significance, in their world teaching mission. The cessation of hostilities will open be- fore them fields of service of tre- mendous fertility and undreamed- ot magnitude. The advantages and opportunities these fields will offer
o
them cannot be exploited unless and until the work to which they have already set their hand in the West- ern Hemisphere is sufficiently ad- vanced and consolidated. Time is pressing. The new tasks are already beginning to loom on the horizon. The work that still remains to be accomplished ere the next stage is ushered in is still considerable and exacting. I feel confident that the American Baha’i community will, as it has in the past, rise to the occa- sion and discharge its high duties as befits the unique position it occupies.
August 18, 1944
Profoundly gratified, I greatly wel- come the noble determination of Committees and Assemblies unitedly to arise to preserve the prizes dearly won and prepare themselves befit- tingly to discharge the mightier, more glorious task ahead in the opening years of the second century. September 24, 1944
Moneeb-Shahid, grandson of both .
‘Abdu’l-Baha and the King of Mar- tyrs, married according to the Mos- lem rites the daughter of a political exile who is nephew of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. This treacher- ous act of alliance with enemies of the Faith merits condemnation of entire Baha’i world.
November 7, 1944
Share grief at passing of devoted, faithful pioneer (John Stearns). His services have been unforgettable and highly meritorious. Advise the construction of a Memorial. Assure friends in Lima (Peru) my deepest, loving sympathy.
November 19, 1944
Comforted, strengthened by assur- ance of sympathy and loyalty of American believers in the deplor- able, delicate situation created by dishonorable alliances made by members of my family, first with Covenant-breakers and now with ex- ternal enemies of the Faith.
The marvelous, rapid, sound evo- lution of the institutions of the Faith in five continents, particularly in the Western Hemisphere, constitutes best monition, most effective coun- teraction to the detrimental influ- ence of those whose acts proclaim their severance from the Holy Tree and their forfeiture of their sacred birthright.
The occasion demands that you
direct special attention to passages
in “God Passes By” indicating the
gravity of the past crises precipi-
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tated since the inception of the Faith by kinsmen both of the Manifesta- tion and the Center of His Covenant, demonstrating the pitiful futility of their nefarious activities and the sad fate overtaking defectors and betrayers.
The present hour calls for unre- laxing vigilance, continued heroism, redoubled efforts, renewed dedica- tion by rank and file of the community enjoying preponderating share alike in the erection, the de- fense, and the consolidation of the worldwide Administrative Order of the Faith of Baha'u'llah since the passing of the Center of His Covenant.
I urge the entire Baha’i commu- nity of the Western Hemisphere to focus its attention during the re- maining months of the opening year of the second century on the forma- tion of local Assemblies in the re- maining Republics of Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela, Bolivia and San Domingo, guard against dissolu- tion of Assemblies already painstak- ingly established throughout the Americas, exert effort on further multiplication of groups, wider dis- semination of literature, greater use of radio, closer contact with masses, more audacious proclamation of the Faith, more effective coordination of local and national activities aiming at fuller demonstration of the rights and claims of the Faith to be re- garded as sole refuge of humanity in its hour of bitterest agony.
The American believers’ merito- rious activities, individual, local, inter-state, intercontinental, will be the object of my special prayers dur- ing the approaching Anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Ascension.
November 21, 1944
1944, a year memorable for the sharp contrast between the rising tide of spiritual victories culminating in the Centenary celebrations of a world-embracing Faith and the switt- ly ebbing fortunes of a war-ravaged, disillusioned and bankrupt society, is drawing to a close. In every con- tinent of the globe; in the Holy Land, the Heart and Center of our Faith and Pivot of its institutions; in the land of its birth; in the adjoining territory of ‘Iraq; throughout the Western Hemisphere; in the British Isles, so severely subjected to the violence of a world tempest; throughout the length and breadth of India; in far-off Australasia and in the Nile Valley—all with the sole ex- ception of the distant Republics of the West subjected in varying de-
Bani Annuat Reports—1944-1945
grees to the imminent danger of be- coming the theatre of war—the com- munities laboring for the promotion of the Faith of Baha'u'llah have, throughout five tumultuous years, been providentially spared to hold aloft its banner, to preserve its in- tegrity, to maintain the continuity of its institutions, to enrich its annals, to consolidate its structure, to fur- ther disseminate its literature and to befittingly celebrate its centenary. Preponderant indeed has been the share of that privileged community, which has been invested by the Pen of the Center of the Covenant with a world-wide mission, in the prose- cution of a task which, ever since the onset of this world upheaval and despite its mounting horrors, the builders of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Baha’u'llah have so unflaggingly pursued. Neither the participation of the Great Republic of the West in this fierce contest, nor the sorrows, burdens and restrictions which such direct association with the agonies of a travailing age has entailed have thus far been capable of dimming the splendor of the ex- ploits that have immortalized the record of the services of this com- munity since the ascension of ‘Ab- du'l-Baha. Indeed, coincident with the period of America’s direct par- ticipation in this world struggle and in direct proportion to the turmoil and the tribulations which such a participation has engendered, the members of this community have evinced a heroism and proved them- selves capable of a concerted effort that have eclipsed the notable achievements that have heralded the establishment of the Administrative Order of the Faith as well as the first stage in the development of the Seven Year Plan.
What the year 1945, on whose threshhold we now stand, has in store for the members of this determined, this valiant, this watchful, this ex- emplary community only the future can reveal. That the trials and af- flictions suffered by their country and its people must wax as this world upheaval moves towards a climax no one can any longer doubt, The chal- lenge that will face this stalwart community will no doubt be severe. To allow the prizes so nobly won, over so vast a field, at so great a cost, at so critical an hour, to fall into jeopardy would be unworthy of a career so auspiciously initiated, so completely dedicated to the Cause of God, so rich in promise and so bril- liant in almost every phase of its evo- lution. Every local Assembly, the
ordained pivot of a divinely-ordained System, which has been established in the States and Provinces of the North American continent, as well as in the Republics of Latin America, must, through a supreme effort on the part of pioneers, visiting teach- ers and Regional Committees, be steadfastly maintained. Simultane- ously a no less determined effort should be exerted to enable the ad- mittedly large number of groups scattered throughout the Americas to attain Assembly status. No less urgent is the obligation to proclaim the verities enshrined in the Faith of Baha’u'llah by every means which individuals, Assemblies and commit- tees can devise, through the press and radio, through an unprecedented dissemination of literature, through its systematic translation into Span- ish and Portuguese and above all through active association with lead- ers of public thought as well as di- rect contact with the masses of the people. Through such means as these, and through such means only can the members of the American Baha'i Community, who have so au- daciously and successfully launched the first stage of the Divine Plan, be enabled to pave the way and usher in, soon after the cessation of hos- tilities, the succeeding stage in the evolution of their world mission. My prayers and loving thoughts sur- round them continually in their de- voted labors.
December 24, 1944
I desire to reiterate the warning that no Persian, student or other- wise, must be admitted into the com- munity under any circumstances un- less provided with full credentials. Exception and compromise would be detrimental to the vital interests of the Faith at the present juncture. The utmost caution and vigilance is imperative.
January 20, 1945
Deeply appreciate Assembly’s lov-
ing message, rejoice in the formula-
tion of new plans, delighted with
recent accomplishments, anticipate
fresh triumphs in the publicity cam-
paigns. Grateful for the provision of
funds for The Bahd’i Worid (Vol. IX)
publication. Praying for removal of
obstacles to the travel of nine Latin
American pioneers. Urge utmost vig-
ilance for preservation at whatever
cost of the newly constituted Assem-
blies throughout the Americas. Ap-
peal exert strenuous efforts to con-
vert the large groups into Assem-
blies. Praying for increasing flow of
blessings on sustained, concerted
�[Page 7]
exertions of the indefatigable, in-
corruptible, consistently victorious,
dearly beloved American Baha’i
community, F
January 29, 1945
Baha'i youth under twenty-one may. serve on Committees. February 27, 1945
Regret failure efforts hold Conven- tion. Praying success Peace Plan. March 9, 1945
Deeply grieve passing of indefa- tigable, staunch pioneer (i.e., Miss Mary Lesch) of the Faith in the Day of the Covenant. The record of her services imperishable, her reward great in the Abhaé Kingdom.
March 27, 1945
The Divine Plan conceived by ‘Abdu’l-Baha for the American Ba- ha’i community, in the midst of one of the darkest periods in human his- tory and with which the destinies of the followers of Baha’u'llah in the North American continent must for generations to come remain inex- tricably interwoven, has, during the concluding years of the first Ba- ha’i Century, triumphantly emerged from the first stage of its evolution. Its initiation, officially and on a vast scale, had, for well nigh twenty years, been held in abeyance, while the processes of a slowly emerging administrative Order, were, under the unerring guidance of Providence, creating and perfecting the agencies for its efficient and systematic pros- ecution. The next stage in the evolu- tion of the Plan cannot, however, be embarked upon, until the external causes, hampering its further un- foldment in other continents of the globe, are removed through the ces- sation of hostilities and the signal victories already won through its initial development are sufficiently consolidated throughout the Western Hemisphere. The tasks confronting those who have so valiantly and bril- liantly inaugurated the first stage in the execution of the Great Design unfolded by ‘Abdu'l-Baha for the promulgation of the Faith of His Father, during this transitional pe- riod, are manifold, exacting, urgent, and sacred. The local administrative units, so laboriously constituted throughout the Americas, must needs, as already pointed out and repeatedly stressed, be maintained, reinforced, closely integrated and their number steadily multiplied. The spirit that has inflamed the pio- neers who have set the seal of tri- umph on the Seven Year Plan, must under the vigilant care of the na-
Tue GUARDIAN
tional representatives of the Amer- ican Baha'i community be constantly watched, kept alive and nourished. The literature of the Faith, par- ticularly in Spanish and Portuguese, must be widely disseminated in both Central and South America, as a necessary adjunct to the systematic consolidation of the work that has been undertaken. Above all, the heal- ing Message of Baha'u'llah must dur- ing the opening years of the second Baha’i Century, and through the in- strumentality of an already properly functioning Administrative Order, whose ramifications have been ex- tended to the four corners of the Western Hemisphere, be vividly, systematically brought to the atten- tion of the masses, in their hour of grief, misery and confusion. A more audacious assertion of the challeng- ing verities of the Faith: a more convincing presentation of its distin- guishing truths; a fuller exposition of the character, the aims and the achievements of its rising Adminis- trative system as the nucleus and pattern of its future world- embracing order; a more direct and intimate contact and association with the leaders of public thought, whose activities and aims are akin to the teachings of Baha’u'llah, for the purpose of demonstrating the universality, the comprehensiveness, the liberality and the dynamic power of His Divine Message; a closer scrutiny of the ways and means whereby its claims can be vin- dicated, its defamers and detractors silenced, and its institutions safe- guarded; a more determined effort to exploit, to the fullest extent pos- sible, the talents and abilities of the rank and file of the believers for the purpose of achieving these ends— these stand out as the paramount tasks summoning to a challenge, during these years of transition and
7
turmoil, the entire body of the Amer- ican believers. The facilities which the radio and press furnish must be utilized to a degree un- precedented in American Baha’i his- tory. The combined resources of the much-envied exemplary American Baha'i community must be har- nessed for the effectual promotion of these meritorious purposes. Bless- ings undreamt of in their scope and plenteousness, are bound to be vouchsafed to those who will, in these dark yet pregnant times, arise te further these noble ends and to hasten through their acts the hour at which a still more momentous stage in the evolution of a Divine and worldwide Plan can be launched.
There is no time to lose. The hour is ripe for the proclamation, without fear, without reserve, and without hesitation, and on a scale never as yet undertaken, of the One Message that can alone extricate humanity from the morass into which it is steadily sinking, and from which they who claim to be the followers of the Most Great Name can and will eventually rescue it. The sooner they who labor for the recognition and triumph of His Faith in the new world arise to carry out these in- escapable duties, the sooner will the hopes, the aims and objectives of ‘Abdu’l-Baha as enshrined in His own Plan, be translated from the realm of vision to the plane of ac- tuality and manifest the full force of the potentialities with which they have been endued.
March 29, 1945
My faithless brother Husayn, after long period of dishonorable conduct, has abandoned the Master’s home to consort with his sister and other Covenant-breakers.
April 16, 1945
Letters From the Guardian Through His Secretary
Regarding your question as to the changing of pronouns in Baha’i prayers: The Guardian does not ap- prove of such changes, either in the specific prayers or in any others. They should be read as printed with- out changing a single word.
In connection with your Assem- bly’s two actions regarding the for- mation and dissolution of Spiritual Assemblies: The Guardian approves of your first action, which he under- stands is only for this last year of the first Baha’i Century, as, of
course, in the future Assemblies will
be formed only during the month of
April. As to the second action, how-
ever, any Assembly which is dis-
solved must immediately report to
the national secretary, who must al-
ways keep an up to date list of As-
semblies. Any dissolved Assembly
cannot be reconstituted until the
time of election in April. This is the
general principle which must be fol-
lowed in the future. In this last year
of the Century, however, naturally
any Assembly that is dissolved may
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8
be reconstituted as soon as the num- ber of believers reverts to nine again.
April 13, 1944
As you know, from his various cabled messages, he has been greatly rejoiced over the complete triumph of the arduous Seven Year Plan undertaken by the American believers during a difficult period in world events and carried forward to a glorious conclusion in the very teeth of the tempest of war which has been raging for almost five of the seven years of their heroic en- deavor. To complete such a Plan during times of peace and security would in itself have been a great achievement; but to have succeeded during the darkest days of human- ity’s abasement and trial, is truly little short of miraculous and must forever attest the calibre of the faith and loyalty which fills the hearts of the members of the blessed Ameri- can Baha'i community.
His hope and belief is that they will not rest on their oars, but will, their appetites whetted by their suc- cesses, carry on their great and noble tasks allotted to them by the Center of the Covenant Himself.
The work that lies ahead of them in the immediate future is clearly defined: The great advantages won for the Faith in the eyes of the pub- lie by the remarkable success of the Centenary in Wilmette; the large at- tendance of believers, the presence of gifted and devoted Central and South American representatives of newly established outposts of the Faith, should be followed up by teaching campaigns, wide publicity and as many radio broadcasts as ean be secured. A contact with the masses has, for the first time, to all intents and purposes, since ‘Abdu’l- Baha’s visit, been made, and should be vigorously maintained. Inside the Baha'i Fold every effort must be exerted to safeguard the newly es- tablished Assemblies and prevent them from falling back into group status again. In Latin America the Assemblies must not only be main- tained but new ones established in the Republics which have not yet a Baha'i administrative nucleus. Liter- ature in Spanish and Portuguese should be made available as speedily as possible and disseminated far and wide. Latin American and native Ba- ha’is should, whenever qualified, be urged and assisted to pioneer, to travel and to teach in Central and South America, thereby encouraging them to gradually shoulder their own responsibilities.
Bawd’i Annuat Reports—1944-1945
With such a triumph behind you the Guardian feels confident you will face these many tasks that lie ahead with joy and his prayers will con- stantly be offered on your be- half and for your inspiration and guidance.
In your letter of Sept. 20th you en- closed a copy of your amendments of the By-Laws of the N.S.A.: he fully approved of these changes rendered necessary by the States and Prov- inces themselves now being re- garded as electoral units in the elec- tion of delegates to the annual Convention.
In that same letter you ask for his suggestions concerning possible plans for teaching in Europe, or helping the Baha’is there with lit- erature, etc. Obviously, there will be 2 tremendous need for Baha'i liter- ature in these war-torn countries and for spiritual enlightenment and help. But as the whole situation is still in the throes of violent changes, and we cannot as yet’ foresee how soon or where assistance may be given, he feels that there should at present be no diversion into new channels of the energies of the American believ- ers now concentrated on the tasks they already have in hand. Liter- ature in German, French, and any other European languages that can be conveniently undertaken, should be translated and held in readiness for use whenever the time for action comes.
He has been very sorry to notice in various reports received from you that some of the new Assemblies, established at such cost of sacrifice on the part of those who arose as pioneers and overcame every ob- stacle in their path and those who generously contributed of their means to insure a supply of funds for this purpose, are falling below Assembly status. He realizes that your body and the National Teach- ing Committee and Regional Teach- ing Committees are well aware of this situatiorf. But he wishes to per- sonally add a word of appeal to the friends not to permit their hard-won prizes to now slip from their grasp through any relaxation of their vigil- ance and efforts. The believers, now more sure of their own powers and of the Divine help that has so un- failingly reached them than at any previous period in their fifty-year history, must continue to put forth a mature, dedicated and sustained effort so that these new Assemblies —whether in North or South America —may be preserved and reinforced and, where necessary, re-instated. Groups, though of secondary impor-
tance, should likewise be enlarged and built up to Assembly status so that the truly remarkable victory achieved by the*’American and Ca- nadian Baha’is may not shrink in dimension as the months go by, but rather flower into still greater vic- tories in the days to come.
He also wishes to call your As- sembly’s attention to the great im- portance of Magallanes as a center, and of the necessity of extending it every assistance, so that this Baha’i year an Assembly may be firmly es- tablished there. It, together with that of Alaska, may be likened to the extremity of the Baha’i arms stretched out and waiting to em- brace the whole world in the order of peace and love which Baha’u’- lah has established for the children of men in this day.
In closing the beloved Guardian wishes me to assure you and your fellow-members of his most loving prayers on your behalf and for the suecess of the many tasks of im- portance which you are, in collabora- tion with the mass of the believers, seeking to carry to a successful conclusion.
December 24, 1944
Shoghi Effendi very much appre- ciates the desire of the American believers to participate in the erec- tion of the completed shrine of the Bab. The preliminary plans are now being made, and he leaves it to the friends to contribute towards this sacred enterprise in whatever man- ner and to whatever degree they wish to.
Also, regarding your letter of Aug. 7th: you ask his advice concerning a school session at West Englewood. He feels that the four Baha’i schools at present in existence, namely Lou- helen, Green Acre, Geyserville School and Temerity Ranch, are suf- ficient for the time being. There is, naturally, no objection to hold- ing meetings and conferences in West Englewood.
With loving greetings and the ar- dent hope that this new year will bring the believers over there many new victories.
January 1, 1945
In view of the fact that a few
Persians have, in defiance of the
instructions and expressed wishes
of their National Spiritual Assem-
bly, gone to America, and in view
of other considerations as well, the
Guardian feels impelled to call the
matter to your attention. You must
recall to the believers’ minds the
oft-repeated warnings of ‘Abdu’l-
�[Page 9]
Baha concerning Orientals, espec-
ially Persians. The Americans, kind
and open-hearted as they are, may
easily fall a victim to the hypo-
critical and the insincere, and it is
to protect them from being misled
and imposed upon that he is sending
you this message.
January 14, 1945
The question of young Baha’is be- ing permitted to serve on commit- tees other than the Youth Committee has been raised in a number of letters recently, and in considering the matter he felt that Baha’i young people under twenty-one should not be denied the privilege of committee
THE GUARDIAN
work. Though they cannot be voting members of Baha’i communities (or exercise the electoral vote at all un- til they reach that age), and though they cannot, likewise, be elected to Assemblies, there is no reason why they should not serve the Cause on various committees as all commit- tees, national or local, are subordi- nate to Assemblies and their mem- bers not elected but appointed, and appointed by Assemblies. We have many devoted and talented young believers who can be of great as- sistance to the Cause even though not yet legally of age.
February 29, 1945
Letters to Individuals (Published With His Consent)
He feels that, although your de-
sire to partake actively of the dangers and miseries afflicting so many millions of people today, is natural, and a noble impulse, there can be no comparison between the value of Baha’i work and any other form of service to humanity.
If the Baha’is could evaluate their work properly they would see that, whereas other forms of relief work are superficial in character, allevi- ating the sufferings and ills of men for a short time at best, the work they are doing is to lay the founda- tion of a new spiritual Order in the world founded on the Word of God, operating according to the laws He has laid down for this age. No one else can do this work except those who have fully realized the mean- ing of the Message of Baha’u’llah, whereas almost any courageous, sincere person can engage in relief work, etc.
The believers are building a refuge for mankind. This is their supreme, sacred task and they should devote every moment they can to this task. —To Dagmar Dole, March 25, 1943.
Regarding the four and twenty el- ders: The Master, in a Tablet, stated that they were the Bab, the eighteen Letters of the Living, and five others who would be known in the future. So far we do not know who these five others are. — To Mrs. George R. True, July 22, 1943.
If the believers could properly evaluate the work they are doing they would be astonished at its im- portance, but they are in the position of not being able to see the forest for the trees; they are too close to it to realize its true import. — To Mrs. Alice Dudley, May 3, 1943.
“The Hosts of His Testament’ re- fers to those who are firm in the Will and Testament of Baha'u'llah and who defend and uphold it. — To Mrs. Alice Dudley, April 18, 1941, in answer to question about the mean- ing of this term used in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu'l-Baha.
The word ‘‘cord’’ so often men- tioned in the Teachings means both the Faith itself and also the power of the Faith which sustains those who cling to it. — To Mrs. Alice Dudley, April 18, 1941.
Ultimately all the battle of life is within the individual. No amount of organization can solve the inner problems or produce or prevent, as the case may be, victory or failure at a crucial moment. In such times as these particularly, individuals are torn by great forces at large in the world, and we see some weak ones strong, and strong ones fail—we can only try, through loving advice, as your Committee has done, to bring about the act on the part of the be- liever which will be for the highest good of the Cause. Because obviously something bad for the Cause cannot be the highest good of the individual Baha’i. — To Leroy Ioas, December 17, 1943.
Now is not the time for the friends to seek to establish a Baha’i village; they have definite tasks confronting them of the utmost importance and urgency, and on these they should concentrate their attention. Nor does the Guardian feel that it is neces- sary for the friends to buy land at this time. In the future, when they have accomplished the goals set out for them by the beloved Master Him- self, they will be able to develop
5
more community projects, but now such enterprises would merely dissi- pate their strength which should all be directed into the teaching work. —To Mrs. Ethel Murray, March 26, 1942.
Regarding your question about vaccination: these are technical matters which have not been spe- cifically mentioned in the teachings, and consequently the Guardian can not make any statement about them. No doubt medical science will pro- gress tremendously as time goes by, and the treatment of disease be- comes more perfect.
It is advisable to use both the Baha'i dates, according to the Ba- ha’i Calendar, and the usual Greg- orian dates as well. The friends at present are free to do as they please.
The Guardian hopes that along with whatever other studies you take up, you will continually study the teachings and endeavor to” acquire a profound knowledge of them. The importance of young Baha’is be- coming thoroughly steeped in every branch of the teachings can not be over-emphasized, as they have great teaching tasks ahead of them to ac- complish. (From letter to John C. Eichenauer, Jr., December 24, 1943)
Regarding your questions con- cerning the advisability of changing the basis of the National Assembly’s election and confining it to the body of delegates or of limiting the term of office: He feels that as any such changes are of a radical nature and should therefore apply to the N. S. A.’s of other countries, they are inadvisable and premature, both for this reason and because ot their very nature.
What is needed is to get the ad- ministration in its present form to run more efficiently and at the same time to build up a higher sense of responsibility among the body of the believers. They should be encour- aged to think more, not only about the qualifications of their elected bodies, but also about such things as you mention, the law of averages, the age and indisposition of some of the members, etc.
When we look back and see
what the Administration has ac-
complished in twenty odd years, in-
deed what it has done in the last
seven years, we see what strides
forward have been made. Far
greater tasks lie ahead, but the
Guardian does not feel that the way
to meet them is to change the pres-
ent system but rather to perfect it
by educating the believers and
training them, holding more confer-
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ences, publishing more news for Ba- ha’is, getting more people active. (From letter to Emeric Sala, July 6, 1944)
Regarding your question about the need for greater unity among the friends there is no doubt that this is so, and the Guardian feels that one of the chief instruments for promot- ing it is to teach the Baha'is them- selves, in classes and through pre- cepts, that love of God, and conse- quently of men, is the essential foun- dation of every religion, our own in- cluded. A greater degree of love will
Bandi Annuat Reports—1944-1945
produce a greater unity, because it enables people to bear with each other, to be patient and forgiving. (From letter to Mrs. Annie Romer, July 7, 1944)
Regarding your suggestion to the N. S. A. about a People’s Peace Conference. The idea and the aims are excellent, but the Guardian does not feel that the believers are as yet in a position to undertake such a major step; if the friends seek to carry out a thing of such importance and find that they cannot—through lack of members, prestige, funds, or
any other reason,—see the thing through to a successful conclusion, they will have done the Cause a serious injury by making it seem just one more ripple on the surface of a disturbed and turbulent society. They must first build the fabric of their community life so solidly that it can bear the strain which such an undertaking would place upon it, and which, by its very nature, would focus the eyes of the press upon the Baha'is everywhere in the world. (From letter to Hannah Lohse, De- cember 19, 1944) �
