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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It is almost impossible adequately to acknowledge all the work which has gone into this publication. Many believers, over a long period of time, have made important contributions.
Our gratitude must first be expressed to David Hofman, who devoted many valuable hours in 1962-1 96 3 making the original collection. Marion Hofman later proof-read the copy, looked out much additional material and made invaluable suggestions for the other workers during the great number of hours she lovingly gave to the task. As the years slipped by and as the work of the Cause increased, busy people spent an enormous amount of time correcting and searching. These included such National Spiritual Assembly members as Elizabeth Chapman, Richard Backwell, Owen Battrick, Joe Jameson and Adib Taherzadeh. Betty Reed, whose copious notes indicate a most thorough examination of each of the paragraphs which formed the first collection, actually saw it through to a page-proof stage. Here it rested for some years as it was realised that more material might be found for there were some important gaps in the record. It was also felt that although the British Bahá’í community, and indeed the Bahá’ís of the world, had a right to, and were eagerly awaiting these messages, it was better to m"'e further searches and present them finally with footnotes and brief biographical notes as a more complete work.
In October, 1972. Philip Hainsworth was released from some
of his other national commitments to carry out the search,
prepare the footnotes and biographies, and produce the book
ready for the printer. It was found that much material had been
overlooked or left out and although it is possible that in the
future a few more letters may come to light, all the sources
available to the National Spiritual Assembly have been utilised.
We now believe that there are no gaps of major significance and
we place on record our deep appreciation for all those who have
made this book possible. Above all we acknowledge with the
utmost humility our debt to Shoghi Effendi, that Sign of God on
earth, whose words are now preserved for posterity, whose [Page xii]
guidance and encouragement led the British Bahá’í community
on the “highroad of its destiny” and to whose sacred memory this
compilation is dedicated.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom 1979
