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1934-03-21 to USNSA various
USBN #83 - May 1934 - page 1-2
Shoghi Effendi feels it to be inadvisable that the Temple Foundation Hall be
used for dramatic performances. He believes that only Baha'i meetings, and
business sessions of the Convention, can be held in it until such time as the
erection of a special edifice for this purpose has been undertaken by the American
friends....
Concerning the best method of presenting the Master's Will to the newcomers,
Shoghi Effendi is of the opinion that the N.S.A. should first make some suitable
extracts from the testament, and to send these to all the local Assemblies for
their use, so that there may be full unity in circulating the provisions of the
Will among the new believers. The problem of choosing such excerpts is left
entirely to the discretion of the N.S.A. The main thing, as it appears to the
Guardian, is that the full station of the Bab, Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha be
clearly explained, and that the origin, nature and working of the Administrative
Order of the Faith be clearly stated. The full implications of such a recognition
are evidently beyond the comprehension of any new believer. Such a knowledge can
be acquired gradually, and only when the essentials of the Faith have been clearly
recognized and adequately understood.
In regard to the activities of Ahmad Sohrab, Shoghi Effendi has already
stated that such attacks, however perfidious, do not justify the friends replying
or taking any direct action against them. The attitude of the N.S.A. should be to
ignore them entirely. For any undue emphasis on attacks made upon the Cause by
Ahmad and his supporters would make them feel that they constitute a real
challenge to the Cause and a menace to its institutions. Should these attacks
continue and acquire a serious importance the Guardian will surely advise the
N.S.A. to take definite and decisive action.
As regards the general conditions of the future in America, Shoghi Effendi
feels that the existing distress will not be rapidly alleviated. There is no
danger, however, of any great crisis in the immediate future. Conditions are
certainly bad, and dissatisfaction is undoubtedly universal, but the hour of
universal relief has not yet approached. The friends need not have any grave
anxiety as to the immediate developments of the present situation.
May I also draw your attention to the fact that the Bab's photograph which
appeared in Nicola's book "Siyyid Ali Muhammad di le Bab" many years ago is not
authentic, although it presents great similarity to the original drawings of the
Bab's portrait.
In closing I must express the Guardian's deep sense of admiration for the
stupendous sacrifices which the American followers of the Faith have gladly and
spontaneously and with such an unremitting zeal consented to undergo in order to
carry out the oft-repeated wishes of the Master concerning the erection of the
Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in America. The early signs of that great spiritual renaissance
which the completion of this sacred edifice must inevitably usher in are already
manifesting themselves in the growing unity and solidarity with which the new-born
Administrative Order of the Cause is functioning and developing in no less than
forty countries of the world. Surely the credit for such a truly remarkable
development in the administrative field of the Cause must be primarily attributed
to the members of the American Baha'i community and particularly to those who so
fittingly represent them in the National Assembly. May Baha'u'llah continue to
inspire you with His wisdom and guidance, that through your collective endeavors
the Cause may progress and its institutions may increase and its unity, both
doctrinal and administrative, be effectively safeguarded. (signed) H. Rabbani.
(Postscript to the foregoing letter.)
The completion of the Done, the mighty emblem of our invincible Faith, marks
a notable landmark in the rise and establishment of the World Order of
Baha'u'llah. The Baha'i world feels greatly indebted to the American believers for
so striking a testimony of the unconquerable spirit of the Cause in these days of
unprecedented stress and turmoil. They who by their self-sacrifice have crowned
this noble and historic Edifice deserve the praise and are indeed the object of
the envy and the admiration of their fellow believers throughout the world. For
their imperishable deeds I cannot be feel eternally gratified. (signed) SHOGHI.-
Haifa, March 21, 1934.
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