Dear Bahá'í Friends:
Your letter of June 29th, with its translation, was received, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.
He was so very happy to hear from your Assembly after all these years, since that important institution was disbanded, and hopes from time to time you will send him reports of your work.
As regards the question you asked him: he feels that the Bahá'ís in Germany should, by all means, follow the same procedure as regards withdrawing from church membership as that in America. You should point out to the believers that, by belonging to other organized religious bodies, we are not acting openly because we firmly believe Christ has come again--so how can we belong to a church which does not accept Bahá'u'lláh and His message as the fulfilment of Jesus' message and the reappearance of Jesus Himself?
He is very anxious that ways should be found for you to receive the money collected in Tihrán and spend it on the Cause and its institutions in Germany. The eagerness of the people to hear of the Faith imposes a sacred duty on all the German Bahá'ís to see that they are not denied this Divine Revelation in their hour of need.
You may be sure the Guardian will do all he can to assist you, and his ardent prayers are offered on your behalf, for your assistance, your guidance, and the success of your sacred labours to give to Germany the news of this precious Faith's existence, and to administer with wisdom the affairs of the Cause there.
He urges you to hold as frequent meetings as possible, and, in cooperation with the American N.S.A. to get as much literature printed and disseminated as you can....
In the Guardian's own handwriting:
Dear and valued co-workers:
Your letter brought great joy to my heart. I rejoice to hear of the formation of your assembly, the cornerstone of the foundation of the Faith in that land. I urge you to consult and deliberate as frequently as you can on the affairs of the Faith, devise the most effective measures for its spread, extend the range of Bahá'í publications, and the friends to scatter as widely as they can in order to multiply the centres and establish new assemblies, extend any assistance you can to the friends in Vienna and take whatever steps are required to enable you to establish the centre of the Faith in Frankfurt. Your task is immense, the obstacles formidable, the need of your fellow countrymen for the healing truths of the Faith urgent and pitiful, the promised help from on high ready and assured, if you persevere in your task and arise to discharge befittingly your responsibilities. The considerable sums accumulated in Tihrán will aid you to extend the scope of your activities and to consolidate your achievements. You should, though these sums have not yet reached you, embark on great projects, and devise, after careful deliberation, effective methods for the propagation of our beloved Faith. I am following the progress of your highly important activities with intense interest. You are, I assure you, often in my thoughts and prayers, and I will continue to supplicate for you the Master's richest blessings.
Rest assured, persevere, and be happy.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi