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1934-09-16 various
USBN #88 - November 1934 - page 1-2
"He feels that during the last few months considerable progress has been
achieved in safeguarding and in extending the area of the lands surrounding and
dedicated to the Shrines on Mount Carmel. It is his hope that through the generous
and self-sacrificing efforts of the believers still further steps will be taken
towards the complete safeguard of the entire area surrounding these sacred spots."
(September 9, 1934, to National Spiritual Assembly.)
"Anything whatsoever affecting the interests of the Cause and in which the
National Assembly as a body is involved should, if regarded as unsatisfactory by
local Assemblies and individual believers, be immediately referred to the National
Assembly itself. Neither the general body of the believers, nor any local
Assembly, nor even the delegates to the Annual Convention, should be regards as
having any authority to entertain appeals against the decision of the National
Assembly. Should the matter be referred to the Guardian it will be his duty to
consider it with the utmost care and to decide whether the issues involved justify
him to consider it in person, or to leave it entirely to the discretion of the
National Assembly.
"This administrative principle which the Guardian is now restating and
emphasizing is so clear, so comprehensive and simple that no misunderstanding as
to its application, he feels, can possibly arise. There are no exceptions whatever
to this rule, and the Guardian would deprecate any attempt to elaborate or dwell
any further upon this fundamental and clearly-enunciated principle.
"The problems with which the Faith is now grappling, whether national or
international, are so pressing and momentous that no one among its loyal adherents
can afford to dissipate his precious energies on details arising from the
application of administrative principles, or even on the perfecting of the
machinery of the administration itself. Purely secondary matters can be postponed
until the primary tasks are performed.
"The situation in Persia which is going from bad to worse, the necessary
measures which should be taken to insure the uninterrupted completion of the
clerestory section of the Temple, the adoption of such measures as will stimulate
the teaching campaign in America, the exercise of the utmost vigilence [sic] lest
the authorities in Soviet Russia inflict any injury upon Baha'i lives and
institutions, the extension of any support that may be required to safeguard the
interests of the Cause at its most vital and international center to ward off the
malicious attacks of enemies from both within and without - these are the
outstanding issues which demand the sustained and concentrated attention of every
devoted believer...
"Regarding the photograph sent to your Assembly the National Assembly of
Iraq, Shoghi Effendi wishes me to confirm his previous request regarding the
circulation of his own photograph. (That is, photographs of the Guardian are not
to be circulated.- Editor.)
"With reference to the statement on the Annual Convention which the Guardian
had requested you to send to the National Assembly of Persia, he wishes you to
send as soon as you possibly can the final draft after having made the following
alteration. The Guardian feels that in view of the definite and vital functions of
the Annual Convention it would be more proper not to regard its sessions as joint
meetings with the National Assembly. The gatherings of the Convention should, the
Guardian believes, be given a more distinctive character. As to the rule requiring
the National Assembly to present any and all facts that may be required in order
to clarify matters discussed at the Convention, he wishes to express his complete
approval.
"Shoghi Effendi would be very pleased to receive English translations of the
Baha'i News Letters issued by the National Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany and
Austria. He wishes you in this connection to convey to Mr. Schopflocher his
deepest thanks and appreciation of his invaluable assistance in translating such
important communications from so promising an Assembly in the Baha'i world...
(The Guardian's postscript to the above letter.) "I feel urged, in view of
the compelling evidence of your exemplary devotion to the interests of our beloved
Faith, to renew the expression of my profound and unqualified admiration for the
spirit animating you in its service. You have faced a critical situation with
marvelous fidelity, high courage and unswerving loyalty. Nothing short of this
spirit can enable you to weather the storms and overcome the obstacles that must
confront you in the future. His Guidance, you may rest assured, will never fail
you in the days to come." (Signed) Shoghi.
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