Dear Bahá'í-Brother:
Your letter of July 1st was received by our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was delighted to hear of the Bahá'í wedding which recently took place in your Community of Stuttgart Bahá'ís and he thanks all the dear friends who were present, whose names you forwarded to him on the list enclosed in your letter, for their greetings and their loving thought of him.
In connection with the National Administrative Center of the Faith being in Frankfurt, he wishes to point out to you the following:
This is a purely practical measure because Frankfurt a/M is so much more centrally located than Stuttgart in the south of Germany. The dear friends of Stuttgart must not for a moment feel that this detracts from the unique place their city occupies in the history of the Faith in Germany.
It is very similar to what has happened in the United States; `Abdu'l-Bahá conferred many honours on New York and called it the "City of the Covenant", but this did not prevent Chicago from being chosen as the National Administrative Headquarters owing to its central position in America.
The Stuttgart friends should do all in their power to foster the development of this Administrative Headquarters in Frankfurt, and to ensure its success, as this is what is best for the development of the Faith in Germany. But you can be sure Stuttgart holds a unique position and has received from the Master Himself unique distinction.
It is probable, but not certain, that the first Temple will also, for the same reason, be in Frankfurt. The publishing work, likewise, should be there in the future, but at present its location is for the N.S.A. to decide.
He was very pleased to hear you are requiring all Bahá'ís to withdraw from church membership and similar organizations; he considers your Community the mother community in spirit, and is confident it will continue to lead the way in its exemplary conduct.
You may be sure his loving prayers will be offered for the success of the teaching and administrative work of the Stuttgart believers... P.S. In the future Stuttgart must naturally have its own administrative headquarters for that city, and he hopes you will soon have found a suitable meeting place.
In the Guardian's own handwriting:
Dear and valued co-workers:
I was so pleased to receive your most welcome letter. The friends in that centre are very dear and near to me, and I cherish the brightest hopes for their future in the service of our beloved Faith. The Beloved poured forth His manifold blessings upon them and greatly admired their spirit. May His Spirit continue to guide, sustain and bless them in their future services and high endeavors for the promotion of His Faith.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi