i
Dedicated to the memory of Shoghi Effendi in commemoration
of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the formation
of the National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of New
Zealand.
ii
"AROHANUI"
The word "Arohanui" is a Maori word and, as with many Polynesian
words, there is no direct translation into English. The literal
meaning is "big love", or "much love" or "great love". And, like
most words in most languages, it has several meanings. In naming
this book, "Arohanui: Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand",
"Arohanui" is used in its more expressive meaning, "enfolding
love", or "that love which binds a community together",
or "that love which creates bonds of mutual trust and loyalty", or
"that love which builds and carries forward culture or civilization".
iii
AROHANUI
Letters from Shoghi Effendi
to New Zealand
iv
&Baha'i
publishing
trust
-------------
Suva, Fiji
Approved for publication by the
National Spiritual Assembly
of the &Baha'is of New Zealand Inc.
(c) 1982 &BAHA'I PUBLISHING TRUST
SUVA, FIJI ISLANDS
v
"You are destined to achieve great things for our beloved
Cause and my constant prayer is that your vision may be
clear, your purpose unshaken, your zeal undiminished, your
hopes undimmed. Let not obstacles and disappointments,
which are inevitable, dishearten you and whenever you are
faced with trials recall our Beloved's innumerable sufferings."
From a letter to the first New Zealand &Baha'i dated August 12th, 1926.
xiii
The letters in this compilation were written by various secretaries
of the Guardian at his specific direction. Spelling and other inconsistencies
are a reflection of the fact that different secretaries were
used. Those passages actually written by the Guardian himself are
printed in italics.
The messages are numbered sequentially for the convenience of the
reader and as an aid to indexing. The numbers appear before the
date of each letter.
AROHANUI, Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand
(Suva, Fiji, 1982)
FILENAME: ARO.FN
FILEDATE: 1-1-95
+P1
Part I
Letters to Individuals, before April 21st, 1926.
These were written prior to the formation of the first Local
Spiritual Assembly in New Zealand.
+P2
+P3
(1) June 22nd, 1923
My dear &Baha'i sister,
Your beautiful letter of April 3rd written to the Beloved
Guardian of the Cause of God, our dear Shoghi Effendi, was
received.[+E1] He was much impressed and charmed with the
spirit of your letter, which indicated deep devotion to and
absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit of the Beloved Master,
&Abdu'l-Baha.
He instructed me with a heart overflowing with love to
answer your letter, conveying to you his high estimation for
the beauty of the faith of the New Zealand friends, and deep
appreciation towards the splendid services of our dear Mr and
Mrs Dunn,[+E2] who are so wonderfully blessed and assisted by
the power of the Holy Ghost. He loves you all and prays for
your happiness and spiritual growth.
It is true that your group is now still small, but he assures
you that your group will before long grow larger and
larger day by day. It has been always the case with the growth
of every religion. Some pure soul or souls go to some land
and sow the seeds of the heavenly teachings in the hearts of
few who are most pure and so most receptive. The seeds will
germinate and grow in them. The fruits of these seeds appear
in the regeneration of the lives of these primary adherents.
These primary adherents share the bounties they have received
with other souls, who through them obtain new life
and light and in turn illumine other people.
The primary adherents are the stars of great magnitude
in every land in the firmament of the Kingdom of God. They
are the chosen people. They are like candles which, through
their sacrificial efforts, are weeping their lives away in order
to give light to the world and establish the purpose of their
Lord and Saviour, which purpose is the salvation of mankind.
His Holiness, Jesus Christ! see how small the group of
His disciples was! No matter how few the number of the disciples
was, yet they through His power illumined the world.
Our Era is similar to that, but through the development of
+P4
humanity it is greater, and through the evils of the material
civilization and negligence of mankind our sacrifices must be
greater. Divine light must make itself manifest in our daily
life deeds.
In the early days of the appearance of our Saviour, virtue
was to save ourselves. When we are once established in
our faith, then virtue is to save others. The three mottoes of
education hold true in our case too. First grow, then become
and then contribute. We have developed; we have established
ourselves, and now it is time to contribute to others.
We have inexhaustible capital. The candles of our spiritual
lives constantly weep away their lives in shedding light to the
world, but they never become exhausted. For there is connection
between our lives and that of &Baha'u'llah and our
beloved &Abdu'l-Baha.
It cannot be described how much we long to see our
dear New Zealand brethren and sisters. We hope the day will
come when they can come to us and we to them. Meanwhile,
we are praying at the Holy Threshold of our beloved Master
for your success and happiness. We hope you will pray for us
too. The effect of the prayers of the pure hearts is tremendously
great.
Our dear Shoghi Effendi wants you not to look at your
own capacity, but at the power of the Holy Ghost of God. He
sends you all his loving greeting and tender affection.
With warm wishes and &Baha'i love, I remain,
Your humble brother in His love,
Azizullah S. Bahadur
_______________
(2) May 8th, 1925
&Allah-u-abha
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
Shoghi Effendi was very pleased to receive this morning
your letter of 28th April, but we were very sorry to hear
you have been ill and hope your health will soon be completely
+P5
restored.[+E3] It was nice that you saw Shoghi's sister and
Soheil's brother in London.
I forget whether I gave you the address of Mr and Mrs
King, c/o Messrs Hayman and King, 202 Old Christchurch
Rd. Bournemouth. They are very kind-hearted &Baha'is and
will be delighted to see any of you if you call. Both of them
work in the business and you are most likely to see them if
you call there. They live above the shop.
I gave you Sister Challis's address at West Moors
(Ferndown Lodge). You can get there by 'bus from Bournemouth
Sq. or Lansdowne, which will drop you right at
Sister Challis's door (She keeps a nursing home) or you can
go by train from West Bournemouth to West Moors station
which is within 5 minutes' walk of Ferndown Lodge. I hope
you will be able to see her.
As I write, the Greatest Holy Leaf is on a visit to the
Shrine of the Master. It is over a year, I think, since she has
been able to visit the shrine and until now she has not seen the
new Gardens, in the laying out of which Shoghi Effendi has
taken such a deep interest. The Gardens are looking lovely
now and it is easy to imagine how delighted she will be. One
day during the feast of &Ridvan she and the Holy Mother were
able to visit &Bahji and the Garden of &Ridvan.
I have quite recovered from my pleurisy now and am
steadily regaining my strength.
Shoghi Effendi is still tired. I hope he will soon be able
to take a rest.
All the friends here join in loving greetings and best
wishes to yourself, your son and daughter, Miss Stevenson
and Effie Baker.[+E4] With warmest greetings.
Your brother in the service of the
Beloved,
J. E. Esslemont
[From the Guardian:]
My dear precious sister in &Abdu'l-Baha:
I was so glad to hear from you directly and learn of
+P6
your improved health and meeting with the English &Baha'is. I
need not assure you of my ardent prayers for your happiness,
good health and continued success in the service of the
Cause. I hope and pray you will be enabled by the guiding
spirit of the Master not only to stimulate the interest of your
friends and relations in this Cause but to make of some of
them earnest and whole-hearted believers and supporters of
the Faith.
Shoghi
_______________
(3) May 9th, 1925
&Allah-u-abha
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
The Greatest Holy Leaf and Shoghi Effendi have asked
me to answer on their behalf your kind letters of Apr. 2nd
from Port Said and April 14th from London.
We were sorry to hear that Mrs Blundell got a chill on
the steamer and was laid up for a few days after her arrival in
London. We hope that by this time she is all right again. We
had a note from her from Bournemouth.
You will be glad to hear that the Greatest Holy Leaf and
the Holy Mother were able to motor to &Bahji and &Ridvan one
day during the Feast of &Ridvan, and that yesterday the
Greatest Holy Leaf motored to the Shrine of &Abdu'l-Baha
and saw the new Gardens in which Shoghi Effendi has been
taking so much interest.
Yesterday a Dutchman arrived here from Port Said, the
first Dutch &Baha'i, so far as we know. He has been a sincere
and earnest truth-seeker for years. About 9 months ago he left
his home at the Hague and walked on foot through Belgium,
France and Italy. Then he felt some inward urge to go to
Egypt, and travelled thither by a Dutch Cargo Steamer.
When the steamer arrived at Port Said Mahmood Effendi,
one of the Port Said &Baha'is came on board and was introduced
to Mesdag (the Dutchman). They struck up a
friendship at once and after 2 days Mesdag went to live in
+P7
Mahmood's house. There he met Martha Root, Mr
Schopflocher and various other &Baha'is, read my book and
became thoroughly interested and seems now already a firm
believer. He has already, since his arrival yesterday morning,
translated our 8-page folder into Dutch and we hope he will
be able to do much to make the Cause known in Holland and
win adherents there.
I have quite recovered from my pleurisy now and am
feeling almost as vigorous as before the attack. Azizullah
Bahadur is now in Stuttgart. There is as yet no improvement
in his hand, but he is having skilled treatment now and we
hope it will be successful. He seems to be having a very
happy time with the German friends.
Shoghi Effendi is much in need of rest, but fairly well.
He and all the members of the Holy Family join in loving
greetings and heartfelt prayers for your welfare. We hope you
will have a fine time in England and return to New Zealand
refreshed and reinvigorated physically and spiritually to take
up your work for the Kingdom there with new enthusiasm
and devotion. We pray that you may always be guided and
strengthened by the Divine Confirmations.
With love also to Effie Baker and all the other friends,
Your brother in the service of the
Beloved,
J. E. Esslemont
[From the Guardian:]
My precious &Baha'i sister:--
I wish to assure you personally of my appreciation of
your devotion to the Cause, and your earnest efforts to promote
it as well as my fervent prayers for your spiritual advancement,
success and happiness. I will always remember
you most tenderly in my hours of visit at the three holy Shrines
and beseech for you and the New Zealand friends the
blessings of our loving and almighty Master.
You true brother,
Shoghi
+P8
(4) May 21st, 1925
&Allah-u-abha
Dear &Baha'i Brother,
Shoghi Effendi has asked me to reply to your kind letter
of 11th April. He is delighted to hear that you propose starting
a &Baha'i Magazine for Australia and New Zealand and
suggests as a suitable title "The Herald of the South". Every
19 days a letter will be sent from Haifa to Mr and Mrs Hyde
Dunn giving the news of the Cause. Owing to the restricted
facilities for multiplying copies which are at present available
here, I fear it will not be possible to send another copy to you,
but doubtless you can arrange with Mr and Mrs Hyde Dunn to
have their copy passed on to you for the magazine. We are
glad to hear that notwithstanding the absence of the Blundells
and Margaret Stevenson, the friends in New Zealand are remaining
united and active. We hope that when the pilgrims
return the faith and enthusiasm of the believers will be greatly
deepened and strengthened and that many new believers may
be attracted. I had a long letter from Effie Baker yesterday.
She is very devoted and whole-hearted and will be a valuable
worker for the Cause, I think, and a great help to Father and
Mother Dunn. When she wrote, Margaret Stevenson had
gone to Scotland and Mrs and Miss Blundell were in Bournemouth.
Effie Baker hopes to make a return visit to Haifa on
her way back to Australia.
Shoghi Effendi assures you of his prayers on behalf of
your mother, yourself and all the Australasian friends and his
hopes that the proposed Magazine may greatly help the
spread of the Glad Tidings in Australia and New Zealand.
With warmest greetings and best wishes,
Yours sincerely in the Master's
service,
J. E. Esslemont
[From the Guardian:]
My dear fellow-worker:
Your charming letter truly gladdened my heart. I will
follow the development of your magazine with keen interest
+P9
and assure you of my desire to help and promote its interests
to the fullest possible extent. I am enclosing the photographs of
the shrine and gardens recently laid out in the close
neighbourhood of the Shrines of the &Bab and &Abdu'l-Baha. I
assure you of my love, appreciation and fervent prayers.
Yours,
Shoghi
_______________
(5) May 28th, 1925
&Allah-u-abha.
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
Shoghi Effendi asks me to thank you on his behalf for
your letter of 14th May. He received the letter of Mrs. Amy
Thornton all right. I remember answering it for him some
weeks ago, so you can set your mind at rest on that score.
The recovery of your &Baha'i ring and stones was very
remarkable. It reminds me of a somewhat similar occurrence
in Bournemouth. One of our &Baha'i friends had her &Baha'i
ring stolen, and nothing was heard or seen of it for some
months. Mr King, another of our group, has an antique shop
in Bournemouth and one day his partner (a &non-Baha'i)
bought a ring from a man who said it was his wife's, but as
they had become very badly off she wanted to sell it. When
Mr King saw the ring he recognized it as a &Baha'i ring and
knowing that this friend had lost her ring, he sent it to me. It
turned out to be her ring and she was delighted to recover it.
The curious thing is that out of the dozens of jewellers and
antique shops in Bournemouth to which the ring might have
been taken for sale, it should be taken to the one where there
was a &Baha'i who recognized it.
I hope that before you leave Scotland you may be able
to go to Aberdeen and see my home people. They would be
delighted to see you. My father's address is Fairford, Cults,
(about 3 miles from Aberdeen, by car or train). He is 86 years
of age and rather frail. My sister looks after him. My two
+P10
married brothers are Peter Esslemont, 21, Louisville Avenue
(Business: John E. Esslemont, 16 King Street) and W.D.E.,
12 Wellbrae Terr., Mannofield. Both of their houses are near
the Mannofield Car Line.
We were very glad to hear of your meetings with the
friends at London and West Moors.
Many thanks for your letter to myself and the excellent
snap-shots enclosed. I am glad you have fallen in love with
Sister Challis and hope you will see her again before you
leave. I had a delightful letter yesterday from Miss Kilford of
West Moors, whom I regard as a &Baha'i grand-daughter, as
she was brought into the Cause by Sister Challis who calls me
her &Baha'i father!
We hope Shoghi Effendi will get away soon for a much
needed rest. The Greatest Holy Leaf was rather seriously ill
last week, but is a good deal better again, although very feeble
and frail.
I have been advised by the Drs to leave Haifa for the
summer months, as my breathing has lately been troublesome
and they think the moist heat during the summer here
would be bad for me. On the same day on which this decision
was arrived at, I received a cordial invitation to go to a place
in the Black Forest for my summer vacation. The Drs considered
this place would be ideal for me and that the sooner I got
away the better, so I leave in 3 days time. My address will be
c/o Frau Victoria von Sigsfeld, Husli, Finsterlingen, bei St
Blaisien, Baden, Germany. I hope to return to Haifa in the
latter part of Sept. to resume my work here.
Shoghi Effendi, the members of the Holy Household
and the friends here join in loving greetings and best wishes.
Your brother in the service of the
Beloved,
J. E. Esslemont
Mrs Schopflocher arrived here last night after a very successful
tour in Russia, Persia and Iraq.
+P11
[From the Guardian:]
My dear co-worker:
I was very glad indeed to learn about your experiences
and visit to the friends and your firm determination to labour
unceasingly in the Divine Vineyard. I will continue to pray
for you that all your relatives and friends may recognise and
be illumined with the resplendent Light of this Divine Revelation.
Never feel disheartened and trust me ever your affectionate,
grateful and true brother in the service of the Cause.
Shoghi
_______________
(6) November 4th, 1925
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
Shoghi Effendi received your kind letter and wishes me
to acknowledge its receipt. He hopes that on your return to
New Zealand you will obtain divine assistance in your services
to the Cause. That land has been newly opened to the
&Baha'i Movement. The work of the friends therefore, interesting
and useful as it may be, is hard and most exacting to
one's patience and energy. It needs great perseverance to
obtain a hearing among the people and draw their attention to
this Blessed Cause. But once that that has been obtained and
the way smoothed then progress becomes increasingly great
and the fruits of your labours appreciated.
Shoghi Effendi is very glad that you have enjoyed your
trip to England. The Friends there though they are few in
number, are full of love and affection, one cannot but feel at
home among them.
Shoghi Effendi thanks Miss Nora Lee for the kind contribution
she has made to the Cause. It will be spent for the
progress of this movement so dear to the heart of us all.
Enclosed there will be a receipt for that amount.
Shoghi Effendi and the other members of the family
send you their best &Baha'i love and greeting and wish you
success in your services to the Cause.
Your brother in His Name,
Ruhi Afnan
+P12
[From the Guardian:]
My dearest fellow-worker:
My prayers accompany you wherever you go. I wish
you to be happy, confident and active. Rest assured of my
great admiration of your zeal and steadfast labours, of my
confidence in the success of your splendid pioneer services
and of my eagerness to hear from you about the progress of
your work.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(7) December 5th, 1925
To the publisher of the &Baha'i Magazine, "The Herald
of the South".
My dear friend and fellow-worker:
I have just heard the welcome news of the publication
of the first issue of the &Baha'i Journal, recently established by
the friends of Australia and New Zealand. I rejoice in this
new and notable &Baha'i enterprise, particularly as it is undertaken
by my dearly-beloved and self-sacrificing brothers and
sisters in a land which holds so great a promise for the future.
I have followed the progress of the activities of the
&Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand with keen interest and
ever-increasing confidence, and with a deep sense of pride
and gratitude. I most heartily welcome this newly-added link
in the chain of the many services, so lovingly and spontaneously
rendered by the pioneers of the Cause in these lands. I
assure you of my steadfast prayers for the speedy expansion
and consolidation of this youngest of all &Baha'i Magazines,
and of my earnest endeavours to enable it attain a standard
worthy of the bearer of such a noble Message.
It should be the object and purpose of its author and
publisher to open its pages to the consideration and review of
matters that are strictly &Baha'i in character, as well as to the
treatment of topics of a humanitarian, ethical and religious
nature; that its readers, while witnessing to the liberal and
broad-minded attitude of the &Baha'i Cause, may receive from
+P13
it their full share of inspiration which only a clear and direct
statement of the Divine Message can impart.
Go forth, on thy noble errand, O thou Herald of the
South! Join thy voice, however feeble, to those of thy sister-journals
who, in various parts of the world, are raising with
one accord the call of this new Day of God. Persevere in thy
labours, endeavour to reach every circle and every home,
that the light thou bearest may in the fulness of time illuminate
with its healing rays the uttermost corners of that distant
and troubled continent.
Your well-wisher,
Shoghi
_______________
(8) March 4th, 1926
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
Your letter to Shoghi Effendi and the enclosed one to
Ruhi with the postal order for &10 have been received and
read with keen interest and pleasure.
We are all very happy to know that you have had such a
pleasant journey back home and that you had the opportunity
of delivering the message on so many occasions. We hope
and pray that the seed you have sown has fallen on fertile soil
and that in time it will grow and bear abundant fruit.
We hope that now through your sustained zeal and effort
new life will be infused into your small &Baha'i group, and
that it will in the near future grow sufficiently in number to
enable you to form an assembly the first to be established in
that land. We shall pray at the Holy Threshold for your guidance
and the success of your work.
The Greatest Holy Leaf and the Holy Mother remember
you well, and they and the other members of the
family send their loving greetings to you.
You will be interested to know that the new pilgrim
house is being completed, and it will be all ready in a month
time for the new pilgrims that will come.
+P14
We still have our dear sister Effie Baker with us, and
we all love her so; she is so sweet and helpful.
We have just now two American lady friends with us,
Auntie Victoria Bedekian and Mrs R. Kehler--very fine
&Baha'is they are and we are expecting some more soon.
I always remember the happy day I spent with you and
Effy in London and shall look forward to the pleasure of
meeting you again some day--perhaps here in Haifa or in
New Zealand, who knows?
I am back at home now for the present, and I am trying
to help Shoghi Effendi a little in his enormous task.
He is keeping in good health I am glad to say in spite of
his many activities and heavy and manifold responsibilities.
To you he sends his brotherly love and the assurance of
his prayers for your welfare and happiness.
With all good wishes and loving greetings,
Your sister in His Service,
Ruh-Anguiz Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
My dear and precious &Baha'i sister:
I cannot but add a few words personally expressing my
deep appreciation of your persistent, self-sacrificing services
to the Cause. I have devoted your gift towards the Fund for
the Western Pilgrim House and I wish to assure you that
when I visit the Holy Shrines I tenderly supplicate for you Divine
Guidance and strength in your labours for our beloved
Cause.
Your true Brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(9) April 3rd, 1926
Dear Spiritual Sister:--
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter dated January 24, 1926.
He hopes that after this long vacation you have had you
are ready to begin spreading the Cause in New Zealand with
+P15
even greater energy than before. The people there seem to be
broad in their outlook, receptive to any idea which helps the
human family from decreasing its burden.
Shoghi Effendi was most chagrined to hear of the sudden
death of your son+F1 and wishes me to extend to you his
deepest love and sympathy.
There is no special news here except that we have removed
to the new pilgrim house. Miss Baker is well and very
busy entertaining the friends and arranging the new home.
Shoghi Effendi as well as the other members of the
family are well and send you their love and greetings. They
earnestly pray for your success and hope to hear, before long,
the news of your many victories in the field of services to the
Cause.
Please convey my loving greetings to your son and
daughter.
Yours most sincerely,
Ruhi Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
My dear fellow-worker:
I wish to express in person my deep sympathy in the
heavy loss you have sustained. May the Beloved Comforter
strengthen you and sustain you in your bereavement. The
memory of your visit to the Holy Land is still fresh and vivid in
my mind and I pray and supplicate at the holy Shrines that
your labours in the Cause may yield an abundant harvest.
Your sympathising brother,
Shoghi
_____________________
+F1 Rev. Oscar Blundell
+P16
+P17
Part II
Letters to Individuals, April 21st, 1926--April 21st, 1934.
The first combined National Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand was formed in 1934.
+P18
+P19
(10) August 12th, 1926
My very dear Spiritual Sister:
Shoghi Effendi has been in receipt of your interesting
letter dated June 7, 1926. It is a great pity that your health has
more or less handicapped you in your service to the Cause.
We, however, hope that this weakness will soon vanish and
your health and strength be fully restored.
The case of the teacher who has been in Palestine is one
really to be lamented. All such persons instead of procuring
their information from the very source, when they are so near
to it, they go to the Missionaries who are undoubtedly biased.
They are immediately told that the Cause is nothing more
than a sect of Islam; a Movement that may do immense good
to the &Muhammadan world, but far from ranking with Christianity
or satisfying its needs. Then they refer this ignorant
and innocent person to books such as Brown's. It is their fault
for having gone to the wrong source for proper information,
but once they have gone it is not their mistake to have been
misled. We have heard of many such instances and there is
absolutely no remedy except to leave them until they find the
truth for themselves. We can only pray for their guidance.
Shoghi Effendi always prays for you as well as the
other Auckland friends, so that through your combined efforts
the Cause may prosper there, and obtain a strong position
in the life of the people. I am not the least familiar with
the social conditions there, but I am sure there is a ready field
for active service.
Yours in His Name,
Ruhi Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
My dear fellow-worker:
I rejoice to learn that your dear sons are realizing
gradually the significance of this unique and mighty Cause,
and my constant and fervent prayer is that you may witness
erelong the fruition of their slow yet sure spiritual evolution.
Persevere in your labours for I entertain and cherish the
+P20
brightest hopes for the future awakening of promising New-Zealand.
I shall ever remember the memorable visit of the
first New-Zealand believers to the Holy Land. Please assure
them of my undying affection.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(11) August 12th, 1926
My dear Spiritual Sister:
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter dated June 7, 1926. It was most interesting to go
over your circular letter and read the many points of interest. I
was especially struck by the literature you have sent to Lord
and Lady Allenby. If they have at all seen them I am sure they
were much impressed, for they knew the Master so well.
They were surely very astonished to see a group of &Baha'is
formed in such a distant land.
I am very ashamed of myself not to have yet answered
your letter of some months ago. It was mainly because Shoghi
Effendi wrote you and acknowledged the receipt of your
contribution for the pilgrim house that I have been so neglectful.
I took Miss Baker's advice on the matter and together
we went down-town and bought a set of straw chairs.
We thought that would be most appreciated by the friends
while sitting in the veranda of the new Pilgrim House.
I remember a prayer, which you wrote, has been asked
by a certain friend to be read daily. I believe sometimes the
friends through their zeal and ardour do things that are not
asked in the Cause. We have only one prayer that we have to
say daily. No one in the world has the power, given to him by
&Baha'u'llah to add another to that daily prayer. If we should
admit this the life of the friends will soon be spent in mere
prayer, which is not the aim of the Cause. The healing prayer
and such ones are only for occasional use when the need
arises.
+P21
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to extend to you his hearty
greetings and assure you of his prayers.
Yours in His Name,
Ruhi Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
My dear fellow-worker:
Your letters are always a source of inspiring joy and
stimulating encouragement to me. You are destined to
achieve great things for our beloved Cause and my constant
prayer is that your vision may be clear, your purpose unshaken,
your zeal undiminished, your hopes undimmed. Let
not obstacles and disappointments, which are inevitable,
dishearten you and whenever you are faced with trials recall
our Beloved's innumerable sufferings. You certainly occupy
a warm and abiding place in my heart.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(12) August 25th, 1926
Dear Spiritual Sister:
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter dated June 14th 1926, and also thank, through
you, the Auckland friends for their kind contribution.
He wishes me to assure you and them of his earnest
prayers. He hopes that through your constant endeavours the
Cause will progress rapidly in that city and make the spirit of
the movement permeate throughout the land. Though your
number is still comparatively small yet through divine guidance
and the Master's ever wakeful spirit you will soon add
many to your group and make of it a power for goodness
which will attract all attention.
With best wishes and kindest greetings I remain,
Yours ever sincerely,
Ruhi Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
My dear fellow-worker:
I am touched by this expression of the loyalty and devotion
+P22
of the Auckland &Baha'is whose welfare, and spiritual
advancement are the object of my earnest and constant
prayer. I shall devote it to further the interests of the Cause in
ways that are dearest and nearest to my heart. I shall supplicate
the Almighty that strength and wisdom may be given you
to face and overcome the obstacles and trials that you will inevitably
encounter in future. The end is glorious if we only
persevere.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(13) September 18th, 1926
Dear Spiritual Brother:
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter dated July 18, 1926. He was very glad to learn
of the encouraging prospects you have for your "Herald of
the South". He hopes that it will daily progress and add to its
importance in drawing the attention of the people there. A
good periodical fully representative of the spirit and teachings
of the Cause is the greatest help the Movement can have
in establishing itself in a country. So though difficulties may
be found at the outset, we should bear them patiently and
await that the future should give us our reward.
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to extend to you his loving
greetings and assure you, as well as your mother and Mr
Brewer, of his constant prayers. He hopes that through your
combined efforts the Herald of the South will soon realise its
aim and purpose.
Yours in His Service,
Ruhi Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
My dear and precious co-worker:
Your welcome letter has cheered my heart and I look
forward with confidence and joy to the harvest which you are
destined to reap in the not distant future. I shall be so pleased
and grateful if you would send me regularly a copy of your
+P23
&Baha'i periodical which I trust and pray will grow from
strength to strength and contribute its destined share to the
progress and consolidation of the Cause of God. Be assured
of my prayers for your happiness, welfare and spiritual advancement.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(14) October 23rd, 1926
Dear Spiritual Sister:
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter dated 11-9-26. He was most gratified to learn
that the Cause is becoming more and more known and appreciated
by the people in New Zealand. This is as important as
the actual increase of the number of the friends, for it means
that the principles are gradually permeating the thoughts of
the people and making them more ready and receptive to the
full identification of their beliefs with the precepts of the
Cause.
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to assure you of his prayers
for you as well as for the other friends in New Zealand. He
hopes that they will increase both in number as well as in
spiritual understanding and insight. The reports that we occasionally
receive from there are most encouraging and hopeful.
It seems that the people there due to their breadth of mind
and lack of traditional draw-backs show better prospect than
many other places.
With deepest loving greetings,
Yours in His Name,
Ruhi Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
My dear co-worker:
Your letter rejoiced my heart. I request you to persevere
and renew your splendid efforts for the consolidation of
the work already achieved. I have great hopes in the `Herald
of the South' and trust that the Editor will be guided and
+P24
strengthened in his noble undertaking. I shall be obliged if
you send me copies of any newspapers that may publish anything
on the Cause as I am preparing a collection of them in
the Holy Land. Please assure the friends in New-Zealand of
my continued prayers at the holy Shrines for the success of
their pioneer work.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(15) November 3rd, 1926
Dear Spiritual Sister:
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter dated September 13th 1926. He was most
gratified to read the nice and encouraging news it contained.[+E5]
He hopes that the "Herald of the South" will daily increase
in importance and now that it is coming out in printed form,
obtain a great number of readers. You should try from the
very start to maintain a high standard for its articles. They
should be broad in view, clear in style and scholarly in their
development of the different subjects. In short the `public'
should be taught to consider it as a paper fully worthwhile to
read and meditate upon. Shoghi Effendi will remember in his
prayers all those who are working in this noble field of service.
Shoghi Effendi desires that you should extend his loving
greetings to all the friends in Auckland. He hopes that
through their endeavours and the Master's invisible guiding
hand they will succeed to raise the standard of the Cause in
that land to such heights that it will arouse the interest of all
the seeking souls and in due time win their support.
The members of the Master's family are well and send
you their loving greetings.
Yours in His Service,
Ruhi Afnan
+P25
[From the Guardian:]
My dear co-worker:
I shall pray from all my heart for the steady development
and the growing influence of the "Herald of the South".
May its voice grow in strength and power, and may its pages
increasingly reflect the dynamic spirit of the Faith and mirror
forth the ever-expanding activities of the friends in Australasia
as well as in distant lands. Persevere in your efforts,
let not obstacles damp your zeal and determination and
rest assured that the Power of God which is reinforcing your
efforts will in the end triumph and enable you to fulfil your
cherished desire.
Shoghi
_______________
(16) January 11th, 1927
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
Our beloved Guardian has asked me to write to you for
him. He is very pleased with your letter of Dec. 8th which
reached him on Jan. 10th and he is very glad to hear of your
activities in New Zealand. He will pray earnestly that your
sincere efforts to make &Baha'u'llah's Revelation widely
known will bring forth much fruit and have a great result. In
the newer countries minds are more open, and the people
more ready and willing to receive this Great Message.
With regard to the Queen of Rumania's 3 articles--he
will see that you receive them correctly. He considers the last
one in which she acknowledges &Muhammad as a true Prophet
of God to have great importance for the East and especially in
Persia. This evening, I personally have had a most interesting
conversation with Dr. &Habib of &Kermanshah[+E6] who is now on
a visit to Shoghi Effendi with his wife and little girl. He was
telling us of the continued fanaticism of the Moslems of
Persia--and how during two periods of the year especially,
the fanatical Mullahs preach against the &Baha'is from their
pulpits--saying to the ignorant "No matter what evil things
you have done during your life, or what sins you have committed,
+P26
if you kill a &Baha'i who is an enemy of Islam, or even
if you take his property or severely injure him, all your own
sins will be wiped out and forgiven for the sake of this good
deed of destroying an enemy of the Faith!!"--in this way
they incite the people to deeds of violence and persecution.
He said that the &Baha'i teachings are spreading rapidly
amongst the more educated classes--but it is difficult to
teach the very poor and ignorant fanatical people--tho' when
they do become Believers, they are very strong and faithful.
The 2 periods of particular danger for the &Baha'is in Persia
are the fast month and the period of Moharram[+E7]--which lasts
for 8 weeks.
Shoghi Effendi is very interested to hear of the
engagement of your son to a &Baha'i young lady--and he
prays that in future they may do a great work for the
"Cause". He hopes so much that you will recover your full
health and strength, and he will pray especially for that. It is
good to know that Esperanto is increasingly studied in New
Zealand.
He will certainly pray for Miss Palter+F1 and her Mother
as you ask him to do--and also for your dear son and your
two daughters. Please accept all best wishes from myself and
Believe me
Yours in His Service,
Ethel J. Rosenberg
[From the Guardian:]
My dear and able co-worker:
I have read the issues of the "Herald" with deep joy
and thankfulness. I will continue to pray at the holy shrines
that the invincible power of &Baha'u'llah may add to your
present opportunities, extend the sphere of the Journal, and
_______________________
+F1 Miss Palter was the &fiancee of Bertram Dewing. The name is possibly
+F1 misspelled, and may be "Miss Patton". (Department of the Secretariat,
+F1 Universal House of Justice. August 16th, 1979)
+P27
enable you, individually and collectively, to mirror forth the
beauty and the power of this Divine Revelation.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(17) January 30th, 1927
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to thank you for the M.O.
for &1-- which he has safely received, sent for the help of the
sufferers in Persia.
He is himself sending this money to the Nat. Assembly
in Teheran, and has requested them to send him the receipt
for it--When he receives their receipt he will forward it to
you, and urges you to give it to the friend who sent the
money. The Persian friends will be very much pleased at receiving
this kind remembrance and help from far distant New
Zealand!
With love and warm &Baha'i greetings from the holy
household and the friends here, to the dear friends in Auckland.
In the Master's Service,
Sincerely Yours,
Ethel J. Rosenberg
[From the Guardian:]
My dear co-worker:
I am deeply touched by this further evidence of the love
and devotion of the New-Zealand &Baha'is and I will gladly
forward their contribution of our friend to the Teheran Assembly
to be sent by them to the sufferers in Jahrum. I will ardently
pray for every one of you that the Beloved may guide
your steps and lead you to glorious victory. I urge you to
communicate regularly and frequently with the &Baha'i
newsletter editor through Mr Horace Holley and report to
him the progress of your activities. It is so essential and valuable.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
+P28
(18) May 13th, 1927
My dear &Baha'i Sister,
I take pleasure in thanking you on behalf of my dear
Guardian for your letter of April 5th.
As a far away outpost of the &Baha'i Faith in New Zealand,
he is always delighted to hear from Auckland and especially
yourself and your promising Assembly there. You own
a warm spot in his heart and he is looking forward to the day
when through the efforts of the Auckland Assembly, centres
will be established in every town in New Zealand. A firm
faith and a golden heart is yours, there still remains to turn
other hearts into gold.
Miss Butler is well and often thinks of you. Assuring
you of our Guardian's prayers and the love and best wishes of
the family who always remember you.
Ever yours in His Service,
Soheil Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
My dear and precious co-worker:
You should exercise your judgement and tact in delivering
the message. You should make an effort to understand
the character and mind of the seeker before you speak to him
on the Cause. I will pray that you may be inspired and guided
to follow the path of moderation and may become an
exemplary herald of His message in that far-away land.
Your well-wisher,
Shoghi
_______________
(19) June 4th, 1929
Dear Spiritual Sister:
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of Feb. 14th. He always feels great pleasure to
obtain some news from the friends of that distant land and he
hopes and prays that through God's blessings and your constant
endeavours the Cause will develop in New Zealand and
bring into its fold many sincere and devoted souls.
+P29
The news that we daily obtain from the different parts
of the world bring in wonderful news of the progress of the
Movement. The world is gradually appreciating the significance
of this Movement which has been for so long misunderstood
and denounced.
Yours ever sincerely,
Ruhi Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
My dear Spiritual Sister:
I wish to assure you in person of my prayers for you as
well as the dear and unforgettable friends in Auckland who
assuredly occupy a warm and abiding place in my heart. I
eagerly await the news of the progress of their work, and
trust and pray that the Almighty may guide their steps, and
help them to surmount every obstacle.
Shoghi
_______________
(20) October 4th, 1930
Dear &Baha'i Brother:
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter dated April 6th 1930 written from London. He
was very happy to learn that wherever you have been you
have received wonderful reception from the friends. Surely,
it is only through such acts of hospitality that the true spirit of
the Cause is manifested.
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to assure you of his prayers
and extend to you his hope that wherever you go you will feel
the divine help and guidance. He hopes that in America you
will experience the true spirit of love that animates the friends
there and that you will give them Shoghi Effendi's greetings.
Yours ever sincerely,
Ruhi Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
My dear and precious co-worker:
I was much pleased to hear from you and to learn of
your experiences. I trust that the same welcome and loving-kindness
+P30
will be extended to you by the American friends. You
are often in my thoughts, and I will continue to pray for your
spiritual as well as material welfare and advancement. Convey,
when you write to your Mother, my loving and affectionate
greetings.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(21) May 18th, 1931
My dear &Baha'i Sister:
I thank you on behalf of the Guardian for your letter of
April 16th.
He was very glad to know that you are now on your way
to England by way of America and he hopes that you will find
the occasion and the means of visiting the friends and making
permanent connections with them. Bertram will of course be
delighted to meet you and we hope he is successful in his
work there.
I suppose you have all the London addresses as the
friends there would be delighted to meet you. Of course if
you do decide to visit Haifa on your way back, Shoghi Effendi
wishes me to assure you of a most hearty welcome.
With his loving greetings to you all and to the young
couple in England and with much love from all here.
Sincerely yours,
Soheil Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
My dear co-worker:
I was so pleased to hear from you and of your plans. I
do hope you will be able to visit the Holy Land where you
would be most welcome in &Abdu'l-Baha's home. I will pray
for the success of your efforts from the depths of my heart
when I visit the holy shrines. May the Beloved enable you to
render distinguished services to His Cause and remove every
obstacle from your path.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
+P31
(22) December 17th, 1931
Dear &Baha'i Sister:
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter dated Dec. 2nd 1931. He is very sorry that you
cannot on your way to New Zealand, break your journey and
come over for a short visit to Haifa. But these are such
difficult days that we should not be astonished and discouraged
if our plans fail. He hopes however that on your way you
will meet the friends, especially those in Port Said, for we
have no centers in Haifa and Colombo.
He was also very sorry to hear that Bertram has to give
up his studies and return home. Shoghi Effendi hopes that
this period he spent in America would be itself an education
that would help him in his work in serving the Cause. His activities
with the young people there should have made him
very experienced and have deepened his understanding of the
Faith.
I believe Mrs Dunn is planning to come this spring for a
visit to Haifa. Perhaps you will meet her before she starts,
Shoghi Effendi is eagerly waiting to see this noble soul who
introduced the Cause into Australia and has been so self-sacrificing
in her services.
Shoghi Effendi hopes that on returning home you will
start again to serve the Cause and attract new souls. The
world is in great distress and its only salvation is in the spirit
and teachings of the Blessed Beauty. Let us not, we who are
the trustees of that divine message, fail in accomplishing our
task and fulfilling our purpose.
Assuring you of Shoghi Effendi's best wishes I remain
Yours ever sincerely,
Ruhi Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-worker:
I am wiring the friends in Port-Said to meet you on your
arrival and I very much regret your inability to come to Haifa
and visit the holy shrines. I will continue to pray for you, for
+P32
your son-in-law and for your dear and promising son for
whose future work in the Cause I cherish the brightest hopes.
I will also remember in my prayers the friends in far-away
Australia and New Zealand and will supplicate for them all
the Master's richest blessings and unfailing guidance.
Shoghi
_______________
(23) April 29th, 1933
Dear &Baha'i Sister:
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to thank you[+E8] for your kind
letter of March 16th 1933, as well as the enclosed article
which has been translated by Mr. Paul into the Maori language.
The Guardian has already written Mr. Paul and expressed
to him his deep appreciation for the service he has
rendered to the Faith, but especially to his own people who
through the means of such literature will be acquainted with
the teachings and will receive the light of guidance brought to
the world by &Baha'u'llah.
I believe the Guardian has already intimated his approval
of this pamphlet and the desire that the friends in Australia
publish and circulate it among the Maoris.
As regards the passages in the sacred writings indicating
the wrath of God; Shoghi Effendi says that the Divinity
has many attributes: He is loving and merciful but also just.
Just as reward and punishment, according to &Baha'u'llah, are
the pillars upon which society rests, so mercy and justice may
be considered as their counterpart in the world to come.
Should we disobey God and work against His commands He
will view our acts in the light of justice and punish us for it.
That punishment may not be in the form of fire, as some believe,
but in the form of spiritual deprivation and degradation.
This is why we read so often in the prayers statements
such as "God do not deal with us with justice, but rather
through thy infinite mercy." The wrath of God is in the administration
of His justice, both in this world and in the world
+P33
to come. A God that is only loving or only just is not a perfect
God. The divinity has to possess both of these aspects as
every father ought to express both in his attitude towards his
children. If we ponder a while, we will see that our welfare
can be insured only when both of these divine attributes are
equally emphasised and practiced.
In closing may I express the Guardian's loving greetings
and best wishes for the progress of your work in serving
the Cause.
Yours ever sincerely,
Ruhi Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your efforts, deepen your
understanding of the essentials and distinguishing features of
His Faith, guide your steps, and aid and assist you to extend
the range of your activities and services.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(24) September 1st, 1933
Dear &Baha'i Friend,
Shoghi Effendi has directed me to address you these
few lines, acknowledging the receipt of your welcome letter
of July 20th, 33, which he has read with deepest interest. He
was gratified to learn that you have newly embraced the
Cause and that you are earnestly endeavouring to spread it
through every possible means. It is on young and active
&Baha'is, like you, that the Guardian centers all his hopes for
the future progress and expansion of the Cause and it is on
their shoulders that he lays all the responsibility for the upkeep
of the spirit of selfless service among their fellow-believers.
Without that spirit, no work can be successfully
achieved. With it triumph, though hardly-won, is but inevitable.
You should, therefore, try all your best to carry aflame
within you the torch of faith, for through it you will surely
find guidance, strength and eventual success.
+P34
The Guardian is fully conscious of the difficulties that
impede the progress of the Faith in your community. Chief
among these, you mention the lack of courage and of initiative
on the part of the believers, and a feeling of inferiority
complex which prevents them from addressing the public. It
is precisely these weaknesses that he wishes the friends to
overcome, for these do not only paralyze their efforts but
actually serve to quench the flame of faith in their hearts. Not
until all the friends come to realize that every one of them is
able, in his own measure, to deliver the Message, can they
ever hope to reach the goal that has been set before them by a
loving and wise Master. It is no use waiting for some able and
eloquent teacher to take all the responsibility for the spread of
the Cause. For such a thing is not only contrary to the spirit of
the Teachings but to the explicit text of the writings of &Baha'u'llah
and &Abdu'l-Baha, both of whom place the obligation
of teaching not on any particular class, as in former
ecclesiastical organizations, but on every faithful and loyal
follower of the Cause. The teaching of the Word is thus made
universal and compulsory. How long then shall we wait to
carry out this command, the full wisdom of which only future
generations will be able to appreciate? We have no special
teachers in the Cause. Everyone is a potential teacher. He has
only to use what God has given him and thus prove that he is
faithful to his trust.
Visiting teachers, who are, at least in a general way,
supposed to be more competent and able than the rest, are undoubtedly
of a great help. But these can never replace the
mass of individual believers and fulfil what must be inevitably
accomplished through the collective effort and wisdom of
the community at large. What visiting teachers are supposed
to do is to give the final touch to the work that has been done,
to consolidate rather than supplement individual efforts and
thereby direct them in a constructive and suitable channel.
Their task is to encourage and inspire individual believers,
and to broaden and deepen their vision of the task that is to be
+P35
done. And this, not by virtue of any inherent spiritual right,
but in the spirit of simple and whole-hearted cooperation.
It is in this light that Shoghi Effendi views the whole
problem of teaching not only in New Zealand but in all the
&Baha'i world. He would, therefore, encourage you to take a
leading part in the carrying out of his wishes on this point, to
take yourself an active interest in teaching, not only private
but also public, and in this way stimulate the friends to follow
your example. It is then, and only then, that there can be a
need for a qualified and competent visiting teacher in order to
bring to full fruition individual teaching efforts.
Assuring you of our Guardian's fervent prayers on your
behalf, so that you may be increasingly blessed in your efforts
for the spread of the Message.
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved guide your steps, cheer your heart,
deepen your understanding of the distinguishing features of
His Faith and enable you to render the sacred Threshold
unique and inestimable services,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
+P36
+P37
Part III
Letters to Individuals, May 1934-1957.
The first National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of New
Zealand was formed in 1957.
+P38
+P39
(25) June 13th, 1934
Dear &Baha'i Brother,
The Guardian has duly received and deeply enjoyed
reading your letters dated November 30th, December 27th,
1933 and February 4th, 1934. He is sorry that unforeseen circumstances
have caused such a long delay in acknowledging
their receipt. He hopes, however, that the matters you have
submitted for his consideration have not suffered as a result.
Since your last letter to him, he has heard of the
gratifying news of the formation of your N.S.A.+F1 This historic
step in the development of the Administration in Australia
and New Zealand is, he feels, bound to react favourably on
the further expansion and consolidation of the Faith in these
far-off lands. He is fervently supplicating &Baha'u'llah that
the newly-elected members of the N.S.A.,+F1 upon whom has
been placed such a tremendous responsibility, be assisted in
the discharge of their sacred obligations and duties to the
Faith.
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-worker:
The splendid reports you have sent me have been incorporated
in the manuscript and sent to the &Baha'i World
Committee in America. The formation of the national assembly
of Australia and New Zealand will no doubt furnish you
with new and refreshing material for your next report in
1936. I will pray for your success and deeply value the manifold
and constant services you are rendering the Cause of
God.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
______________________
+F1 The National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of Australia and New
+F1 Zealand
+P40
(26) December 22nd, 1934
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
The Guardian was profoundly grieved to learn of the
passing away of your dear mother, and has directed me to
convey to you and to the bereaved members of your family,
his heartfelt condolences and sympathy for this severe loss
which you have sustained.
Mrs Blundell's departure is, indeed, a loss not only to
her family, but also to the community of her fellow-believers
in New Zealand. For in her they have come to lose one of
their oldest and most distinguished co-workers.
The Guardian well remembers her pilgrimage to the
Holy Land, and has always cherished the hope that she would
once more be enabled to visit the shrines. But alas, her departed
soul has taken its flight from this world, leaving her
friends and relatives in a state of profoundest grief. Their
only consolation now is the realization that through her
painstaking and sustained labours for the Cause in Auckland
Mrs Blundell has left an abiding monument to her memory,
and one which will continue for many years to come to inspire
and strengthen them all in their collective endeavours for the
establishment of the Faith in New Zealand.
Shoghi Effendi is fervently praying for the soul of our
departed sister, and is entreating &Baha'u'llah to give her her
full share of divine blessings in the other world.
May I also assure you of his ardent supplications for
you, and for all the friends in Auckland.
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbani
_______________
(27) January 21st, 1935
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
Shoghi Effendi has just been in receipt of your kind
letter of the fourteenth of December last, and has read its
+P41
contents with deep interest and gratification. It made him so
happy, indeed, to learn that you are pursuing your activities
for the Faith with such steadfastness and self-sacrifice, and
also that through your beautiful and loving spirit those members
of your family who have not yet embraced the Faith are
being gradually attracted to it. He is ardently entreating
&Baha'u'llah that through your inspiration and guidance their
interest in the Teachings may wax stronger and lead them to
eventually espouse His Cause.
With reference to the suggestion made by Mr Alexander+F1
for taking a record of the Guardian's voice, he wishes
me to inform you that although he fully appreciates the spirit
in which this and similar suggestions are made to him he is,
nevertheless, extremely reluctant that the believers should
give any prominence to his writings, specially in the meetings
which, he is firmly convinced, should be chiefly devoted
to the reading and study of the writings of &Baha'u'llah and the
Master.
In closing will you kindly convey his greetings and
appreciation to all the friends in Auckland, and particularly to
the members of your family who, he hopes, will be assisted
and sustained in their labours for the spread of the Message.
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-worker:
I am deeply grateful for the services you are so devotedly
rendering and the efforts you are so diligently exerting
for the promotion of our beloved Faith. I will continue to
pray for you and your dear co-workers from the depths of my
heart.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_____________________
+F1 Dick Alexander was the &fiance of Miss Vera Dewing. (Department of the
+F1 Secretariat, Universal House of Justice. August 16th, 1979)
+P42
(28) February 5th, 1935
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
The Guardian has just received your kind message of
the second of January last, and wishes me to thank you for it.
It comforted him greatly to learn that, despite the severe
loss which you have sustained through the passing away
of your mother, you are still engaged as actively as before in
the work which you have set your heart to accomplish for the
Cause in Auckland. The agonies of her earthly separation
from you, difficult though they may be to bear, will assuredly
be transmuted through the blessings of &Baha'u'llah into a
peaceful and abiding joy. In serving a Cause for which your
mother sacrificed so much you will no doubt come to find the
very purpose of your life, and the true secret of happiness in
this, as well as in the next world.
The Guardian is fervently praying for you and for your
brother, that you both may be strengthened and guided in
your services to the Cause, and in this way continue and
enrich still further the noble heritage which your mother has
left for the Faith in New-Zealand.
With loving &Baha'i greetings to you and to all the
friends in Auckland.
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
Dear co-worker:
I wish to assure you in person of my heartfelt sympathy
in the loss you have sustained, and of my loving and ardent
prayers for the departed soul. The work with which her name
will for ever be associated will confer upon her imperishable
glory, and her example will serve to stimulate the rising generation
to follow in her footsteps, and carry on the work she
has so nobly initiated.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
+P43
(29) May 20th, 1936
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
Many thanks indeed from the Guardian for your welcome
message of April 17th just received. He would certainly
be delighted to meet you in Haifa next year, and hopes
that your visit to the Holy Shrines will give you a fresh vigour
and a renewed determination to carry on your work for the
Cause. He specially cherishes the hope that your trip to
England will be of great benefit to you, and also to our
English believers. They will be only too happy to welcome
you in their midst, and will thoroughly appreciate any assistance
which you may give them during your sojourn in
England.
The Guardian has learned with deep gratification of the
news of the teaching work carried on by the Auckland believers.
He wishes you to kindly assure them all of his best wishes
and fervent prayers for the success of their labours. May
&Baha'u'llah bless, guide and strengthen them in every step
they are taking for the spread of His Faith and the consolidation
of its institutions in this far-off land.
Assuring you too of his special prayers on your behalf
at the Holy Shrines, and with warmest greetings,
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of a most hearty welcome, and wishing
you good-health, happiness and success,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(30) September 30th, 1936
Beloved &Baha'i Sister,
Your welcome letter dated August 17th has been received
and read with deepest appreciation by the Guardian.
May I again express his sincere hope that your long-cherished
+P44
desire to visit the Holy Shrines may be fulfilled
very soon, and that through this pilgrimage you may attain a
renewed zeal and vigour, as well as a new vision of the task
you are called upon to accomplish for the Faith in New-Zealand.
In closing let me assure you and your fellow-workers in
Auckland of his profound appreciation of your determination
to press forward the work in the teaching field. He is ardently
praying for the guidance and success of your labours.
With warmest greetings,
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved fulfil your heart's desire, and enable
you to promote effectively the sacred and manifold interests
of our beloved and glorious Faith,
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(31) December 7th, 1936
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
The Guardian is in receipt of your letter of the fifth
November, and exceedingly regrets that, owing to certain
family difficulties, you have found it necessary to cancel your
trip to the Holy Land. He is specially grieved to learn of the
many cares and sorrows with which your daughter has been
so sadly afflicted of late, and wishes me to hasten to convey to
you his most loving sympathy, as well as the assurance of his
prayers for the removal of the family troubles with which you
are beset. He fervently hopes that these afflictive trials confronting
you and your beloved daughter will all serve to
quicken your spiritual energies, and that the outcome of it all
will be to open before you new horizons of service, and fresh
fields for teaching the Message. May &Baha'u'llah give you
patience to courageously withstand these tests, and full guidance
+P45
to use them as a means to more active, concentrated and
selfless service to His Cause. Do assure, therefore, your
daughter not to feel disheartened, but to confidently endeavour
to overcome her domestic sorrows and cares.
In closing may I express the Guardian's hope that, as
soon as your family problems are solved, you may be able to
undertake your long-cherished pilgrimage to the Holy
Shrines. He is ardently praying for the materialization of your
hopes and plans in this connection.
It is a pleasure to learn of the successful visit of Mr
Schopflocher+F1 to Auckland, and of the warm welcome he has
been accorded by you and the friends. This is a true evidence
of the strong ties of fellowship so closely uniting the friends
throughout the world, and of the deep affection which the believers
in New-Zealand cherish for their fellow-believers in
every region and clime.
With renewed and warmest greetings to you and to the
friends in Auckland,
Yours in the Guardian's Service,
H. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of my loving and ardent prayers for the
removal of every obstacle from your path, and for the speedy
realization of your dearest hopes,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(32) November 8th, 1937
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
Many thanks for your letter of September 16th addressed
to our beloved Guardian. He is most pleased indeed
to hear of Miss Holloway's interest in the Cause and appreciates
keenly your efforts for bringing about her full confirmation
_______________________
+F1 Fred Schopflocher was appointed Hand of the Cause of God in Canada on
+F1 February 29th, 1952.
+P46
in the Faith. He is, at your suggestion, writing her
directly and giving her the addresses of some individuals and
centers in South Africa. He hopes that through contact with
the friends her interest in the Teachings will be considerably
increased and she will be stimulated to help in spreading their
knowledge throughout South Africa.
The Guardian wishes you to keep in closest touch with
her through correspondence, and to send her suitable literature
on the Cause, and to endeavour to make her join actively
the Faith.
Again with many thanks for introducing this lady who
indeed seems to be a most promising worker, and with loving
greetings to all the friends in Auckland.
Yours ever in His Service,
H. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved bless you and aid you to surmount all
obstacles that may stand in your path, and aid you to lend a
fresh impetus to the work that has been so splendidly initiated.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(33) May 17th, 1938
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
The Guardian is in receipt of your letter of the 19th ins.,
and is indeed pleased to know that your visit to Cairo has been
so happy and successful, and that the friends have extended
to you such a warm hospitality all through your stay.[+E9]
He hopes this letter will find you well, and enjoying
your visit to your relatives and fellow-believers in England.
With loving remembrances, and renewed thanks for
your message,
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbani
+P47
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved fulfil your heart's desire in the service
of His Faith, and enable you to promote effectively the interests
of its new-born institutions.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(34) December 20th, 1938
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
Your very cordial message of the 17th November addressed
to our beloved Guardian has duly reached him, and
he has noted with keen appreciation indeed the desire you had
expressed of visiting the Holy Shrines on your way back to
New-Zealand.
As you must have surely read in the newspapers, however,
the general situation in Palestine is at present so gravely
disturbed as to make it quite impossible for you to undertake
this trip in the next few months, and in view of this the
Guardian would advise that you postpone your visit until the
November of next year, by which time, it is hoped, the situation
throughout the country will have sufficiently improved
to permit you to undertake this long-cherished pilgrimage.
The Guardian, needless to say, would be also most delighted
to meet you, and to hear from you directly of the news of the
Cause in New-Zealand, and to discuss certain matters which
the N.S.A.+F1 has asked you to present to him for his instructions.
Regarding your question whether there is any special
ceremony which the believers should perform when they
wish to "name" a baby; the Teachings do not provide for any
ceremony whatever on such occasions. We have no "baptismal
service" in the Cause, such as the Christians have.
There would be no objection, however, for the friends to
______________________
+F1 The National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of Australia and New
+F1 Zealand
+P48
come together on such happy occasions, provided they do not
hold an official public ceremony, and provided also they
strictly avoid uniformity and rigidity in all such practices. No
rule whatsoever that would tend to be rigid and uniform
should be allowed in such secondary matters, particularly as
there are no specific instructions in the Teachings regarding
them.
With the warmest good wishes of the Guardian to you
and to the friends, and assuring you again of his hearty welcome
to visit the Holy Shrines during next autumn, and with
greetings,
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-worker:
I shall indeed grieve if the situation in Palestine should
prevent our meeting and prevent your pilgrimage to the Holy
Shrines. I pray that this may not be the case. I am so eager to
meet you, and express in person my deep and abiding sense of
appreciation of the splendid and historic services you have
rendered. I will continue to pray for you from the depths of
my heart.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(35) March 20th, 1939
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
I am directed by our beloved Guardian to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter dated February 25th, informing him
of the date of your departure from England, and your inability
to defer your visit to Haifa till next November. He regrets indeed
that you should find it impossible to extend your stay in
Europe and come to Palestine in autumn, as the situation here
is now so tense and dangerous that there seems very little
hope of any real amelioration in security conditions to take
+P49
place by next May. General conditions throughout the country
are, at present, even worse than a month ago, and the tension
is daily increasing.
In case, however, security is reestablished by the time
you reach Port-Said, you would be welcome to visit the
Shrines, but the Guardian would be still away.
Wishing you again a successful and happy return
home, and with the renewed assurance of the Guardian's
prayers for your welfare, protection and guidance,
Yours most sincerely,
H. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-worker:
I deeply regret that the situation in Palestine has not
yet improved as I realize how eager you are to visit the Holy
Shrines. If however when you reach Port-Said it will at all be
possible for you to visit the Shrine, you will be most welcome,
I assure you. May the Almighty fulfil the dearest hope of your
heart,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(36) August 3rd, 1941
Dear &Baha'i Sister:
Shoghi Effendi has instructed me to answer your letter
to him of May 10th, which just came.
He was, as already expressed in the cable he sent you,
greatly impressed by the statement in the Quarterly on the
true &Baha'i attitude at the present time. It displayed a correctness
of viewpoint, a courage, and a loyalty to &Baha'u'llah
which has led him to disseminate it far and wide: in the
American News Letter, in the two Haifa News Letters,
English and Persian, etc. It was indeed a timely and most
noble contribution to the Faith.
The friends in both Australia and New Zealand seem to
+P50
have developed a most outstanding soundness in their relation
to the teachings. This leads Shoghi Effendi to believe
that they will make great contributions to the unfoldment of
the world-wide aspects of the Faith.
His prayers are always with you, and he most deeply
appreciates the splendid services you are rendering the
Cause, and will pray that the way will open for you to do even
greater work and in an ever widening field.
Please assure all the dear friends of Auckland of his
loving remembrance and his prayers for their work.
With &Baha'i love,
R. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-worker:
I cannot refrain from adding a few words in person to
assure you of my lively appreciation of your constancy and of
the distinctive services you are so ably and devotedly rendering
our beloved Faith. That you may be able to extend
their range is my fervent and constant prayer. Persevere, and
be confident and happy.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(37) December 19th, 1947
Dear &Baha'i Brother:
Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated Dec. 12th
has been received, and he has instructed me to answer it on
his behalf. The previous letter you mention cannot have
reached him, as he always replies to letters from the friends.
Your book[+E10] touches on a very important subject, and
he regrets that he cannot read it himself. His work is so
pressing and multiplying so fast that he invariably refuses to
go over the manuscripts the friends send him as he simply
cannot attend to such things as well as all his other work. You
should send it to the Reviewing Com. in the U.S.A. and ask
+P51
their advice. Perhaps an outside publisher would be interested
in it? The &Baha'i funds have such heavy demands
made on them at present that even essential literature must
often wait to be published, unfortunately.
He fully appreciates the fact that the believers locally,
in different parts of the world, often feel that their political
party is in many ways striving to accomplish ideals akin to
our &Baha'i aims--but the fact remains that the only way for
the &Baha'is to preserve their international character, their
unity and integrity, is for them individually to sacrifice these
desired political affiliations for the universal good and protection
of the Faith. There is no political party in existence
with whose platform we wholly agree, and we must abstain
from membership in such parties. Likewise people who join
the Faith must have the courage and conviction to leave their
political affiliations behind.
There is no reason why this should cause enmity as they
are not joining another party, but a universal Faith striving for
the advancement of the entire human race. He thinks there is
very little possibility of any politician joining the Faith. The
sacrifice of such individuals' personal ambitions is too great a
one for them to make. The condition of the world today is
such that it is obvious no political solution to its problems is
going to be found. We &Baha'is must therefore concentrate on
&Baha'u'llah's World Order--the true solution.
He assures you he will pray your teaching labours may
be very successful. He will also pray for your dear mother's
welfare.
With warmest greetings,
R. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of my loving prayers for your welfare and
success in the service of our beloved Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
+P52
(38) November 23rd, 1949
Dear &Baha'i Sister:
Your letter of October 28 has been received, and our
beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
First, let me say how very deeply he appreciates the
services you have been rendering our glorious Faith in Australia,
and particularly Perth, during the past two years. Your
trip has been of real assistance to the teaching work, and it
pleased him greatly.
Regarding Mr. ...: it was with the approval of the
Guardian that his name was removed from the voting list. It is
very bad for the Cause to have a member of the Community,
actively, in the public eye, teaching the Faith, and at the same
time showing dishonest characteristics. We cannot possibly
say that because a person also has many virtues, faults as
grave as lying and dishonourable conduct regarding money,
can be overlooked! This means that we tolerate as representatives
of our Faith people who flagrantly disobey its laws and
fundamental teachings. This does not mean there is no hope
for Mr. ...; let him change his conduct, if he really loves
the Cause, and then a way will be opened for him to again be
active. But the change must be real and obvious; mere protestations
will serve no purpose.
He urges you to continue your services in the teaching
field in New Zealand, and also to write to the friends in Australia
who are disturbed about Mr. ..., and strengthen
their faith and determination.
With warmest greetings,
R. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty, Whose Cause you serve with such
zeal and devotion, reward you for your labours, and graciously
assist you to win great victories for His Faith and its
institutions,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
+P53
(39) December 18th, 1949
Dear &Baha'i Brother:
Your letter of November 1st was received, and, although
our beloved Guardian is so busy at present on the
Shrine work here that his mail is piling up alarmingly, he
does want to send you a word of appreciation for your fine,
constructive spirit and the services you are rendering the
Faith.
Vicious criticism is indeed a calamity. But its root is
lack of faith in the system of &Baha'u'llah (i.e. the administrative
order) and lack of obedience to Him--for He has forbidden
it. If the &Baha'is would follow the &Baha'i laws in voting,
in electing, in serving, and in abiding by assembly decisions,
all this waste of strength thru criticizing others could
be diverted into cooperation and achieving the Plan. Keep on
trying to point this out to them!
With &Baha'i love,
R. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of my loving prayers for the success of
every effort you exert for the promotion of our beloved Faith,
and the realization of every desire you cherish for its progress,
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(40) June 11th, 1952
Dear &Baha'i Sister:
Your two letters of May 25th have been received, and
the beloved Guardian thanks you for them, and for the loving
sympathy which you express.
He hopes that you will make every effort to attend the
New Delhi Conference, as it will be a very historic occasion,
and the more &Baha'is from Australia and New Zealand that
are present, the better.
+P54
You should get in touch with the Indian National
Spiritual Assembly as regards accommodation etc.
This has been a very tiring winter for the beloved
Guardian. He has had so many pilgrims, and so many problems
locally, and an ever-increasing amount of work, so I
will make this letter brief.
He assures you your services are deeply appreciated,
and that he will remember you in his prayers.
With warm &Baha'i greetings,
R. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved bless, guide and sustain you, and enable
you to promote the best interests of His Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(41) January 6th, 1955
Dear &Baha'i Sister:
Your letter of December 21st with enclosure has been
received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me
to answer you on his behalf.
He is happy to know that the New Zealand
&Haziratu'l-Quds is being made attractive for the many activities
that will take place in this Center, and he hopes it will become
the means of the greatest unity and loving cooperation
among the friends.
He assures all the friends in New Zealand of his deep
appreciation of their devoted services.
With warm &Baha'i greetings,
R. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved bless, guide and sustain you, and enable
you to promote, at all times, the vital interests of His
Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
+P55
Part IV
Letters to &Baha'i Institutions.
These letters are presented chronologically and show the
development of the institutions--Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of Auckland, the National Spiritual Assembly, the
Regional Teaching Committee.
+P56
+P57
(42) March 31st, 1926
Dear Spiritual Sister:
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter dated Feb. 18th 1926. He well appreciates the
whole-hearted contributions the friends, the world over, have
made to safeguard the neighbourhood of the shrines. We all
hope that this spirit of quick response and action will permeate
all the different activities of the Cause.
Shoghi Effendi as well as the other members of the
family send you, and through you, the Australian and New
Zealand friends their best love and greetings. They all await
the good news of the progress of the Movement in Australasia.
With loving greetings I remain,
Yours very sincerely,
Ruhi Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
My dear fellow-worker,
I fully appreciate the self-sacrificing efforts of the
New-Zealand &Baha'is and am glad to inform them that the
surroundings of the Shrines on Mt Carmel are secure. May
the Beloved reward them a hundredfold! Convey my love and
gratitude to them all.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(43) May 14th, 1926
My dear &Baha'i sister,
I thank you on behalf of Shoghi Effendi for your letter
of Mar. 8th and for the second copy of the draft that you had
sent enclosed.
He has already received and cashed the first draft and
has sent you the receipt for it.
He appreciates very much indeed the help of the New
Zealand friends and I am sure they would all be very glad to
+P58
know that the surroundings of the holy Shrines on Mt Carmel
have already been safeguarded. This is such a relief to Shoghi
Effendi and all the friends who feared lest the approaches
should fall into the hands of speculators and interested men.
With heartfelt greetings to the friends in New Zealand.
I am
Yours ever in His Service,
Soheil Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
Dear fellow-worker:
I wish to reassure you in person of my continued
prayers for you as well as for those friends who in the distant
city of Auckland are labouring for the advancement of the
Cause in New Zealand. Please convey to them my brotherly
greetings and very best wishes. I can never forget them and
they are ever near to me.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(44) January 7th, 1935
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
The Guardian has duly received your beautiful message
of 2nd of December, and he wishes me to thank you for
it, as well as for the enclosed copy of the Auckland Assembly's
circular letter which he has delivered to the spiritual assembly
of Haifa for their perusal.
He also wishes me to ask you to kindly inform Mrs
Blundell of the receipt of the twenty five copies of the Maori
pamphlet which she had lately mailed to him. These, together
with those she had sent previously, have all been placed in his
own library, and a few copies have also been placed in the
Mansion of &Baha'u'llah at &Bahji for the information of the
general public.
In closing the Guardian wishes me to renew to you the
expressions of his abiding and genuine appreciation of your
labours for the Cause in Auckland, and particularly in connection
+P59
with your duties as secretary of the local assembly.
He is praying from the very depths of his heart for your progress
and success in this important field of &Baha'i service.
With heartiest greetings to you and all the friends.
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
Dearly beloved co-worker:
I wish to assure you of my deepest appreciation of your
constant and manifold services to the Faith, and particularly
of the share you have had in consolidating its administrative
institutions in both Australia and New Zealand, whether
local or national. My prayers will continue to be offered from
the bottom of my heart for you and for your dear co-workers.
Persevere and never feel disheartened.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(45) September 26th, 1935
Beloved &Baha'i co-worker,
...In connection with the N.S.A.'s+F1 decision regarding
the appointment of Mrs. Axford and Mr. Inman to
keep records of Australian and New-Zealand activities for the
"&Baha'i World"; the Guardian wishes you to assure your
fellow-members in the assembly that he fully endorses their
choice. He also wishes you to impress the newly-appointed
correspondents with the vital importance of their task, and to
urge them to acquit themselves of it with thoroughness, efficiency
and vigour....
(Extract from "Letters from the Guardian to Australia
and New Zealand 1923-1957". p. 10. Published by
The National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of
Australia Incorporated, 1970.)
______________________
+F1 The National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of Australia and New
+F1 Zealand
+P60
(46) April 26th, 1936
Beloved &Baha'i Sister,
I am directed by the Guardian to thank you for your
letter of the 30th March informing him of the date of Miss
Kitty Carpenter's arrival in Port-Said. You can be sure that
the friends will be most delighted to meet her, and to render
her journey to Haifa as safe and comfortable as possible.
The Guardian himself is eagerly looking forward to the
pleasure of meeting her, and cherishes the hope that through
this pilgrimage she may receive a renewed stimulus to better
work for the promotion of the Faith upon her return
home....
(Extract, ibid., p. 13)
_______________
(47) June 10th, 1936
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
...The Guardian would also advise that the local assemblies
take a similar step, and obtain official recognition
from the authorities. In case the Auckland assembly has been
registered in the government, will you be so kind as to send
him photostatic reproductions of any registration papers or
documents that the Auckland friends may have obtained from
the authorities, as he wishes to have them published in the
next "&Baha'i World"....
(Extract, ibid., p. 14)
_______________
(48) November 17th, 1936
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
On behalf of the Guardian I acknowledge with deepest
thanks the receipt of your letter of the 17th October, and wish
also to thank your Assembly for forwarding to him the photostatic
reproduction of the registration certificate of the Assembly
of Auckland....
(Extract, ibid., p. 18)
+P61
(49) January 31st, 1938
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
The Guardian wishes me to express his loving thanks
for your letter of the third instant, enclosing the half-yearly
reports of the Perth and Auckland Spiritual Assemblies, all of
which he has been delighted to read.
He wishes you to write the Auckland Assembly assuring
them of his approval of the request they have made on behalf
of Miss Kitty Carpenter for permission to visit Haifa. He
has every hope that through this pilgrimage she will be
greatly refreshed and strengthened spiritually, and will upon
her return home impart to the friends in New-Zealand some
measure of the inspiration she will gain through close contact
with the Holy Shrines....
(Extract, ibid., p. 24)
_______________
(50) November 2nd, 1938
Dear &Baha'i Sister,
...The Guardian wishes me to express his gratification
at the news of the enrolment of three new members in the
Sydney &Baha'i group, and of two others in the Auckland
community. He will pray that these new believers may continue
deepening in their faith, and in their understanding of
the Teachings, and that each of them may arise and lend
every assistance in his power to the further expansion and
firmer consolidation of the Faith in that far-off continent....
(Extract, ibid., p. 28)
_______________
(51) March 22nd, 1939
Dear &Baha'i Brothers and Sisters,
The Guardian wishes me to gratefully acknowledge the
receipt of your card conveying to him your Assembly's
greetings for &Naw-Ruz, and to assure you how deeply he
feels appreciative of the renewed expressions of love which
+P62
you had felt prompted to transmit to him on such a happy and
blessed occasion.
He immeasurably values indeed your sentiments, and
wishes me to take this opportunity of assuring your Assembly,
and all the members of the Auckland &Baha'i Community,
of his ardent prayers for the further extension of the
Faith, and its firmer consolidation in your centre, and for the
spiritual advancement and welfare of each and every member
of your group. May this new &Baha'i Year we have just
entered witness a fresh intensification of the spirit of service
in the heart of each one of you, and lead you to scale still nobler
heights of service and sacrifice in your stewardship to the
Cause.
Reciprocating your kind greetings and with all good
wishes for a happy &Naw-Ruz.
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbani
_______________
(52) April 19th, 1941
Dear &Baha'i friends,
...He was very sorry to learn that Miss Stevenson
has passed on. He will pray for her joy and advancement in
the Worlds beyond. She had the great honour and blessing of
being the first New-Zealand believer and her reward must be
great....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers:
...The passing of yet another staunch and indefatigable
worker, Miss Stevenson, constitutes yet another loss to
the believers in that continent. The work which that
exemplary pioneer has achieved however is imperishable.
Kindly assure her relatives of my deepfelt sympathy.
Sh.
(Extract, ibid., pp. 38, 39)
+P63
(53) April 25th, 1941
Dear &Baha'i friends:
Shoghi Effendi has instructed me to answer your
&Naw-Ruz greetings of the year 98.
He deeply appreciated your thought in sending him a
message at such a time. The loving remembrance of the
friends is dear to his heart in these heavy and sad times.
He assures you that the friends of Australia and New
Zealand are often in his thoughts and prayers, and he is so
pleased with the continued evidences of their devotion and
services to the Cause of God.
With &Baha'i greetings,
Yours in His Service,
R. Rabbani
_______________
(54) April 18th, 1942
Dear &Baha'i Sister:
...He was delighted to learn that the New Zealand
members were able to make the trip to Australia, and that
such a highly satisfactory N.S.A. meeting was held, in such
a spirit of love and harmony. No doubt this experience will
prove of great value, not only to the National Assembly, but
also to the work of the Cause in the days to come....
(Extract, ibid., p. 45)
_______________
(55) May 12th, 1944
Dear &Baha'i Sister:
Your letters dated March 1st, 25th and March 21st--
&Baha'i &Naw-Ruz greeting--have been received, and the
Guardian has instructed me to answer them on his behalf.
He was very pleased indeed to hear that the Cause in
New Zealand is not only steadily progressing but that it is
winning such good friends as Rev. Chandler. Also the
preparations you are making for the Centenary should serve
+P64
to not only publicise the Faith, but bring the believers closer
to liberal-minded fellow-citizens.
He himself is at present frightfully busy with local
preparations for the Centenary and with cables and
correspondence--but he wishes you all to know that his
thoughts will be with you on this glorious day of the 100th
anniversary of the &Bab's declaration, and he will pray for all
the New Zealand &Baha'is in the Holy Shrines.
With most loving greetings and best wishes from the
Guardian for the success of all your plans.
Yours with &Baha'i love,
R. Rabbani
P.S. He appreciated very much your sending &Naw-Ruz
greetings.
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved bless your efforts, guide your steps,
sustain you in your devoted endeavours, and enable you to
promote effectively the best interests of His Faith.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(56) December 18th, 1949
Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of Auckland, N.Z.
Dear &Baha'i friends:
Your letter of October 25th was received and our
Guardian was delighted to hear the details of this property
you have purchased, and which he trusts will grow to be a
very important &Baha'i endowment. He will be pleased to receive
the pictures of it.
He felt that no name could be more befitting than that of
dear father Dunn. May the spirit this wonderful soul exemplified
stream forth from your school and quicken those Islands.
With &Baha'i greetings,
R. Rabbani
+P65
P.S. Since writing this letter yours of Nov. 29 has been received.
He will certainly pray for the success of your Summer
School sessions so soon to begin and for the speedy development
of the new school property you have just purchased.
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless bountifully your meritorious
labours, guide and sustain you, at all times and under all circumstances,
aid you to overcome every obstacle that confronts
you and enable you to lend a tremendous impetus, in
the days to come, to the progress of your historic work in that
promising and far-away Island.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(57) June 28th, 1950
The National Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand.
Dear &Baha'i Friends:
...As Mrs Axford requested Mrs Thomas to write
about her &Baha'i life there is every reason to respect her
wishes. This in no way precludes the New Zealand Community
from writing about her services and life and keeping this
record in the National archives. The Guardian feels the
Auckland Assembly should be consulted, as her, (Mrs Axford's),
home community, by Mrs Thomas. He hopes this In
Memoriam article, about so dear and tireless a servant of the
Faith, will produce a spirit of love and co-operation amongst
all concerned....
The acquisition of the site for the New Zealand Summer
School was a great step forward in the progress of the Faith
there, and he was very pleased about it. He was also delighted
to hear of the formation of the Devonport Assembly, and he
hopes next year there will be still more....
(Extract, ibid., p. 83)
+P66
(58) November 1st, 1950
Secretary,
Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is
of Auckland, New Zealand
Dear &Baha'i Brother,
Your letter on behalf of the Assembly, (as well as your
personal note) dated July 6, have been received, but due to
the pressure of work piled up during the long and serious illness
of Mr Maxwell the Guardian's correspondence has piled
up unanswered for some time.
He is very pleased to hear the Cause is making progress
in New Zealand and the friends unitedly serving, which is the
most important thing of all.
He was also pleased to hear the Summer School property
will be gradually developed and serve the friends and the
Community at large in other ways. He thanks you for the plan
of it sent under separate cover.
He sends his loving greetings to all the members of the
Assembly, and also would like to wish you success with your
book.
With &Baha'i love,
R. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you, remove
all obstacles from your path, and enable you to win great
victories for His Faith and its God-given institutions,
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(59) March 1st, 1951
National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is
of Australia and New Zealand.
Dear &Baha'i Friends:
...I would like to add that the Guardian does not consider
that it is advisable for New Zealand to be separated in
the near future from Australia, and come under the jurisdiction
+P67
of an independent National Assembly. He considers that
the present arrangement is the best one until such time as
there are more assemblies flourishing in New Zealand, and he
would consider the basis for a National Assembly strong
enough there to support such an institution....
(Extract, ibid., p. 91)
_______________
(60) June 16th, 1954
Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand.
Dear &Baha'i Brother:
...He was very happy to see that Mrs Dunn was able
to attend the New Zealand &Baha'i Summer School. For a
woman of her age, this was surely a remarkable achievement,
and must have been a great inspiration to the New Zealand
friends, coming as she did so freshly from the last Intercontinental
Teaching Conference held in New Delhi....
He attaches great importance to teaching the aboriginal
Australians, and also in converting more Maoris to the Faith,
and hopes that the &Baha'is will devote some attention to contacting
both of these minority groups....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers:
...The multiplication of &Baha'i isolated centres,
groups and local assemblies, in both Australia and New
Zealand--a process that has been steadily and rapidly developing
since the inauguration of the Ten-Year Plan, is
likewise of paramount importance in the years immediately
ahead. The development of these institutions, particularly in
New Zealand, will no doubt hasten the emergence of an independent
National Spiritual Assembly in that territory, and
will lend a tremendous impetus to the onward march of the
Faith in those regions....
The purchase of a building in Auckland destined to
serve as the National &Haziratu'l-Quds of the &Baha'is of New
Zealand, is yet another objective on which attention should
+P68
be immediately focused--in anticipation of the erection of
yet another pillar of the future House of Justice in that remote
part of the world....
(Extract, ibid., pp. 118, 119, 121, 122)
_______________
(61) July 24, 1955
Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand
Dear &Baha'i Brother:
...The news of the purchase of the &Haziratu'l-Quds
in Auckland was most welcome. The acquisition of this
building is really one of the pre-requisites for the formation of
the National Assembly of New Zealand; he hopes that the
impetus this has given to the work of the Faith there, combined
with the devotion of the &Baha'is will speed the formation
of local Assemblies, which alone constitute the necessary
firm foundation for the National Body, a Body which
will be one of the direct pillars supporting the International
House of Justice. He urges, therefore, your Assembly to give
all the teaching help it can to New Zealand; and to encourage
the believers there to do their utmost to achieve their
goals....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers:
...The purchase of the &Haziratu'l-Quds in Auckland,
as the future headquarters of the New Zealand National
Spiritual Assembly, is another accomplishment that merits
the highest praise....
...The establishment of &Baha'i endowments in the
Dominion of New Zealand is yet another responsibility devolving
upon their elected national representatives, a responsibility
which should be discharged prior to the emergence
of an independent national assembly in that distant and
promising island.
Whilst these immediate goals are being steadily and resolutely
+P69
pursued, attention should, likewise, be particularly
directed to the vital need for the constant multiplication of
isolated centres, groups and local assemblies, as well as to
the necessity of increasing, to an unprecedented degree, the
number of the avowed adherents of the Faith who can directly
and effectively contribute to the broadening of its foundations
and the expansion of its nascent institutions. Particularly in
the Dominion of New Zealand, where a pillar of the future
Universal House of Justice will soon be erected, must a fresh
impetus be lent to this vital process which can alone reinforce
the foundations on which this projected institution must ultimately
rest....
(Extract, ibid., pp. 123, 125, 126, 127)
_______________
(62) June 13th, 1956
Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand.
Dear &Baha'i Brother:
...As regards the question the Auckland Assembly
has asked about vivisection, there is nothing on this subject in
the &Baha'i teachings. At a future date such matters will no
doubt be taken up by the International House of Justice....
He is delighted to hear that the New Zealand friends are
so eagerly carrying on their work in preparation for their National
Assembly next year. Their coming of age, so to speak,
will be a source of pride to all their fellow National Assemblies,
and they will form a welcome addition to the pillars
which must ultimately sustain the International House of
Justice....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers:
...Particular attention should be devoted to the urgent
needs of the New Zealand &Baha'i community, through
the formulation of a plan which will enable it to swell the
number of its administrative institutions, enlarging and
+P70
reinforcing thereby the foundations on which its forthcoming
National Assembly must ultimately rest....
(Extract, ibid., pp. 130, 131, 133)
_______________
(63) September 5th, 1956
Secretary,
Regional Teaching Committee for New Zealand.
Dear &Baha'i Brother:
Your letter of August 3rd with enclosure has been received
by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to
answer you on his behalf.
He was happy to see this report of the activities of the
&Baha'is in New Zealand, and will be pleased to receive a
copy of your News Letter regularly.
The Guardian wishes your Committee and the believers
there to know that he has high hopes for their future
achievements in that far-off land, where they are now on the
threshold of that historic event, the election of their own National
Spiritual Assembly. He deeply values their devotion,
and the eager and fervent character of their services.
With warm &Baha'i greetings,
R. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of my loving prayers for your success and
spiritual advancement,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(64) April 4th, 1957
Message from the Guardian at the inception of the New
Zealand National Spiritual Assembly.
I share with the assembled delegates, gathered to elect,
on this historic occasion, the second National Spiritual Assembly
of the &Baha'is of the Antipodes, the feelings of profound
satisfaction and gratitude to &Baha'u'llah evoked by
+P71
this epoch-making event in the evolution of His Faith in that
far off region of the globe. I am deeply conscious of the decisive
share which the Australian &Baha'i Community, labouring
during more than three decades, for the spread of the
light of this glorious revelation among the highly progressive
people of that distant continent, has had in the laying of the
foundations of the Administrative Order and the erection of
yet another pillar of the future Universal House of Justice in
this remote Dominion.
The emergence of this independent &Baha'i Community,
no matter how limited its numerical strength and modest its
resources, must be regarded as a highly significant development
in the rise and establishment of the &Baha'i Faith in the
Pacific Area, and should synchronise with the formulation,
on the part of the National Spiritual Assembly now being
elected in that Island, of a subsidiary Six-Year-Plan, designed
to reinforce substantially the numerical strength of the
Community; to multiply its Centres, as well as its Local
Spiritual Assemblies; to incorporate the solidly grounded
amongst them; to inaugurate a National Fund; to obtain
recognition for both the &Baha'i marriage certificate and the
&Baha'i Holy Days; to lend an unprecedented impetus to the
conversion of the Maoris, and to ensure their active participation
in the conduct of &Baha'i Administrative Institutions; to
extend the scope of the work already initiated in the South
Island; to incorporate the newly formed National Spiritual
Assembly, and to select and acquire a site for the first
&Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of that Dominion.
I call upon the members of the Australian National
Spiritual Assembly, as well as the members of the Australian
&Baha'i Community, to continue to lend their valued support
to this newly pledged sister Community, and to enable it,
through the extension of material assistance as well as the
dispatch of visiting teachers and pioneers, to contribute, in
an ever increasing measure, to the furtherance of the
magnificent and colossal campaign now being so vigorously
+P72
conducted in the North, in the South, and in the heart of the
Pacific Ocean.
May the outpourings of the Holy Spirit continue to
energise this small yet resolute forward marching, dedicated
community, and may the outcome of the collective efforts of
its members contribute decisively to the triumphant consummation
of the World Crusade on which the entire body of the
followers of the Faith of &Baha'u'llah have so confidently embarked.
Shoghi
_______________
(65) May 20th, 1957
Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly
of the &Baha'is of New Zealand.
Dear &Baha'i Friends:
Our beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you
on his behalf and inform you that the Hand of the Cause, Mr
&Varqa, will shortly be forwarding to your assembly the
equivalent of five hundred English pounds, as the Guardian's
contribution to your newly established National Fund.
He hopes that in the formulation of your plans, particular
attention will be given to the all-important teaching
work, the foundation of all the activities of the Faith and the
most urgent task facing the friends in this critical period the
world is passing through.
You may be sure he will pray for your success,
With &Baha'i greetings,
R. Rabbani
_______________
(66) June 27th, 1957
Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly
of the &Baha'is of New Zealand.
Dear &Baha'i Sister:
I am instructed by our beloved Guardian to write you
on his behalf and assure you he was most happy to receive
your letter dated May 4.
+P73
He rejoices with the New Zealand &Baha'is in the formation
of their historic National Assembly. They are now
firmly launched on the course of their own destiny, and undoubtedly
the Faith will go forward very much faster. They
have an advantage not shared by many of their fellow National
Assemblies, of exclusively administering the affairs of
the Faith in a small area, which means that they can function
much more efficiently. When one remembers the many years
that the New Zealand and Australian believers toiled to carry
on the work in those two countries, with the sea in between,
and inadequate funds to provide transportation, which necessitated
so much of the National Assembly's work being carried
on by correspondence, one can appreciate the advantages
you now enjoy.
The formation of a new National Body in any case is an
organic thing, and a new and lively flow of life will go out
into all the members of the Community from this Assembly.
As regards the question you asked him about the site for
the Temple, this need not be a large piece of land at this
time--three or four acres would be sufficient for the site if
you find suitable land is expensive. If the worst comes to the
worst, when the time comes to build the Temple, the site can
be changed. In Uganda some years ago, they purchased a
Temple site, and later, a large piece of land for their endowment.
With the Guardian's permission, they exchanged the
two as the Endowment's position was better for the Temple.
So you see, it need not be too rigid. The point is to get a Temple
site as soon as possible. He feels it should be in the outskirts
of Auckland, within easy motoring distance, so that the
friends can attend services there. Naturally the closer to the
city, the better.
As you formulate your plans and carry them out for the
work entrusted to you during the next six years, he wishes
you to particularly bear in mind the need of teaching the
Maoris. These original discoverers of New Zealand are of a
very fine race, and they are a people long admired for their
+P74
noble qualities; and special effort should be made, not only to
contact the Maoris in the cities and draw them into the Faith,
but to go to their towns and live amongst them and establish
Assemblies in which at least the majority of the believers will
be Maoris, if not all. This would be indeed a worthy
achievement.
The beloved Guardian assures you all of his prayers for
the success of the historic work you are now undertaking, and
he feels sure you will achieve your goals.
With warmest &Baha'i greetings,
&Ruhiyyih
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers:
The emergence of the New Zealand National Spiritual
Assembly, as a result of the convocation of the first &Baha'i
historic Convention held in that far-away and promising
Dominion, will be hailed by posterity as an event of the
greatest significance, marking the erection of another pillar
designed to support, in the South Pacific area, the future
Universal House of Justice. My heart overflows with happiness
and is filled with gratitude as I contemplate the splendid
progress achieved, in recent years, in that far-off island, and
note the loyalty and devotion with which the members of this
valiant community, now standing on the threshold of unprecedented
achievements, have discharged their manifold
and sacred responsibilities.
The six brief years that now lie ahead must witness a
swift expansion in the scope of &Baha'i activities throughout
the length and breadth of that Dominion, as well as a steady
consolidation of the foundations of the institutions that have
been so painstakingly laid. The Six-Year Plan upon which the
New Zealand believers have now so auspiciously embarked
must be diligently prosecuted and brought to a triumphant
conclusion. All must participate, whether young or old, veterans
as well as newly enrolled believers, all must contribute
their share to the ultimate success of this mighty collective
+P75
enterprise, however limited their means, however modest
their abilities, however restricted the range of their previous
experiences.
The increase in the number of the avowed adherents of
the Faith; the multiplication of isolated centres, groups, and
local assemblies; the incorporation of the newly formed National
Spiritual Assembly as well as all firmly grounded local
assemblies; the recognition of the &Baha'i marriage
certificate by the civil authorities, and of the &Baha'i Holy
Days by the Superintendent of schools in that island; the
rapid conversion of the Maoris and their close association
with the white believers in the administration of the affairs of
the community; the consolidation of the work energetically
initiated in the South Island; the selection and purchase of the
site for the Mother Temple of New Zealand--these stand out
as the foremost objectives of the Plan now demanding of its
high minded determined prosecutors, the utmost consecration,
unrelaxing vigilance and the noblest self-sacrifice.
The tasks, challenging the spirit and resources of this
community, whose numerical strength is as yet so limited,
whose material resources are so circumscribed, whose past
experiences have, in many respects, been confined to a narrow
range, are truly formidable. The alloted time, during
which so stupendous an undertaking is to be consummated, is
short. The obstacles confronting its members are varied and
manifold. Yet the sustaining grace promised to all those who
will arise, with single-mindedness, courage, dedication and
high resolve to aid in the attainment of these noble objectives,
is of such potency that no earthly power can resist the ultimate
fulfilment of so glorious a task, or even delay its eventual
fruition.
I appeal most earnestly to all those who, in both the
teaching and administrative fields, are committed to carry
out so magnificent an enterprise, as well as to those who, in
an unofficial capacity, are called upon to further, by every
means in their power, the interests of this epoch-making
+P76
Plan, to dedicate themselves, at this hour to the arduous, yet
infinitely precious task they have shouldered, and to devote,
in the days and years that lie ahead, every ounce of their
energy to the systematic prosecution of a Plan, on which the
immediate destinies of the entire New Zealand &Baha'i community
directly depend; and which can alone provide the
stepping-stone to the still more brilliant achievements destined
to ennoble the annals of the Faith in that remote island
of the globe.
Shoghi
_______________
(67) July 19th, 1957
Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly
of the &Baha'is of Australia.
Dear &Baha'i Brother:
...As regards the "Herald of the South" magazine,
in view of the important work lying ahead of your Assembly,
and the fact that this magazine is a drain on the limited resources
of the Community, he thinks it would be quite all
right to suspend publication until a future date when the
financial situation permits such expenditures to be made with
relative ease. He leaves, however, the final decision to your
Assembly.
The Committee responsible for the publication of this
magazine has certainly laboured valiantly throughout the
years, and the publication will be missed by its readers.
However, it is some years since the American &Baha'i Magazine
was abandoned for similar reasons, and the Guardian
feels that you can do so in Australia, and the funds be used to
better advantage, at this time. However, now that you have
found a printer in Sydney and appointed a new committee, he
thinks you should continue it and give the new Plan a try....
The successful culmination of the long standing
partnership of the Australian and New Zealand believers thru
the emergence of the New Zealand N. S. A. is a source of
great satisfaction to the Guardian, and no doubt to all the
+P77
members of both communities. He feels sure this will mark
a turning point in the work in the Antipodes and the
neighbouring islands and give a new lease of life to the
teaching work throughout that area. Both your Assembly and
that of New Zealand have now emerged into your permanent
form as pillars of the future International House of Justice.
The bones of the skeleton of the World Order are growing
strong, but only the teaching work can clothe them with
flesh....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers:
...Particularly commendable, and indeed exemplary,
has been the share of the Australian believers in enabling
the New-Zealand &Baha'i Community to make such
rapid strides, in recent years, strides that have prepared it
for the assumption of its sacred and vital function as an independent
community, and which culminated in the formation
of a body qualified to take its place, and assume the weighty
responsibilities incumbent on it, as a distinct and separate
member of the world-wide family of &Baha'i national and regional
Spiritual Assemblies....
(Extract, ibid., pp. 135, 137, 138)
_______________
(68) August 30th, 1957
Secretary, Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of the City of Auckland.
Dear &Baha'i Friends:
This is just a brief note, on behalf of the beloved
Guardian, to acknowledge your letter of July 5th (8th
&Rahmat, 114) and tell you he appreciates your action in
sending the cable to &Iran, and assure you of his loving prayers
for the rapid progress of the Faith in Auckland.
With warm &Baha'i greetings,
R. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty sustain you in your constant and
meritorious endeavours, guide every step you take, and bless
+P78
every effort you exert, for the promotion of the interests of His
Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
_______________
(69) September 9th, 1957
National Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of New Zealand.
Dear &Baha'i Friends:
The Beloved Guardian is very anxious to secure information
as to the native tribes which have been contacted by
any of the Believers in your area; and of course if there are
any Believers from these Tribes, that would be even more
interesting.
Can you prepare a list showing the number of Tribes
that have been contacted, and of these Tribes, the number
who have become Believers. This would be very interesting
information.
Can you secure it at an early date and send it on to the
Beloved Guardian.
With loving &Baha'i Greetings,
I am Faithfully yours,
Leroy Ioas
+P79
Part V
Telegrams to New Zealand.
+P80
+P81
To Summer School care &Baha'i Assembly Postbox 1906 Auckland.
(70) January 22nd, 1949
ASSURE ATTENDANTS HEARTFELT LOVING
PRAYERS SUCCESS SESSION REALIZATION
DEAREST HOPES DEEPEST APPRECIATION. SHOGHI
RABBANI
To Auckland Assembly Box 1906 Auckland.
(71) December 29th, 1949
GRIEVED PASSING PRECIOUS PIONEER PROMOTER
FAITH MRS AXFORD PRAYING FERVENTLY
SHRINES PROGRESS SOUL &ABHA KINGDOM HER
SERVICES UNFORGETTABLE. SHOGHI
To Summer School Care Auckland Assembly Box 1906 Auckland.
(72) December 29th, 1949
ASSURE ATTENDANTS SUPPLICATING RICHEST
BLESSINGS DELIBERATIONS SCHOOL. SHOGHI
To New Zealand School Care &NatBaha'i Sydney.
(73) December 30th, 1953
LOVING APPRECIATION ASSURANCE FERVENT
PRAYERS. SHOGHI
+P82
+P83
Part VI
Statements on Various Subjects.
These statements extracted from letters to individuals are not
found elsewhere in this compilation and are taken from
letters written by the Guardian's secretaries at his specific
direction. The arrangement is according to subject matter.
+P84
+P85
ALCOHOL (74)
You had asked in connection with the subject of prohibition.
Of course in every country one must take into consideration
the exact conditions as to whether by force of
legislation people can be stopped from drinking, but as a
principle the &Baha'i teachings are quite against drinking intoxicating
liquors and from the &Baha'i point of view every
thing that helps to stop drinking is welcome.
(Extract, letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
December 30th, 1925)
EVOLUTION (75)
We cannot prove man was always man for this is a fundamental
doctrine, but it is based on the assertion that nothing
can exceed its own potentialities, that everything, a stone, a
tree, an animal and a human being existed in plan, potentially,
from the very "beginning" of creation. We don't believe
man has always had the form of man, but rather that
from the outset he was going to evolve into the human form
and species and not be a haphazard branch of the ape family.
You see our whole approach to each matter is based on
the belief that God sends us divinely inspired Educators; what
they tell us is fundamentally true, what science tells us today
is true; tomorrow may be entirely changed to better explain a
new set of facts.
When &Abdu'l-Baha says man breaks the laws of nature,
He means we shape nature to meet our own needs, as no
animal does. Animals adapt themselves to better fit in with
and benefit from their environment. But men both surmount
and change environment. Likewise when He says nature is
devoid of memory He means memory as we have it, not the
strange memory of inherited habits which animals so strikingly
possess.
These various statements must be taken in conjunction
+P86
with all the &Baha'i teachings; we cannot get a correct picture
by concentrating on just one phrase.
(Extract, letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
June 7th, 1946
"HERALD OF THE SOUTH"-- (76)
Persevere
I shall pray from all my heart for the steady development
and the growing influence of the "Herald of the South".
May its voice grow in strength and power, and may its pages
increasingly reflect the dynamic spirit of the Faith and mirror
forth the ever-expanding activities of the friends in Australasia
as well as in distant lands. Persevere in your efforts,
let not obstacles damp your zeal and determination and
rest assured that the Power of God which is reinforcing your
efforts will in the end triumph and enable you to fulfil your
cherished desire.
(Extract, undated letter by Shoghi Effendi)
"HERALD OF THE SOUTH"-- (77)
Effective teaching medium.
...Regarding the "Herald of the South" magazine,
Shoghi Effendi very much appreciates the fact that in spite of
the many difficulties that your Assembly had to overcome
this review is being regularly published, and that its standard
is gradually improving. He would call upon all the English-speaking
friends to contribute, as often as they can, such articles
for publication in that magazine as would serve to make
it a more direct and effective teaching medium for the spread
of the Cause throughout Australia and New-Zealand. He is
advising the American N. S. A. to specially ask the cooperation
of the American believers for that purpose, and hopes
that the response they will make to this call will be such as to
further encourage you in your splendid efforts for the publication
of this national organ of the Faith....
(Extract, ibid., pp. 12, 13, dated April 15th, 1936)
+P87
"HERALD OF THE SOUTH"-- (78)
Difficulties.
...The Guardian, while fully aware of the difficulties,
both financial and otherwise which your N. S. A.+F1 is facing
in connection with the publication of the "Herald of the
South", feels nevertheless the urge to advise you to continue
with this magazine and not to feel in the least discouraged if
your efforts for meeting the expenses incurred for its printing
and circulation, and for raising its literary standard, do not
bring the expected results. He very deeply values the self-sacrificing
and sustained efforts exerted by your Assembly in
this connection. May &Baha'u'llah richly reward you for all
your meritorious endeavours....
(Extract, ibid., p. 16, dated September 23rd, 1936)
"HERALD OF THE SOUTH"-- (79)
Psychic practices.
...In connection with the article published in the
October number of the "Herald of the South" entitled
"Above the Mists"; the Guardian wishes the believers to
disregard such subjects as psychic practices and phenomena,
for these besides not being authenticated by the Writings of
the Founders of the Faith, pertain mostly to the domain of
conjectures. The magazines of the "Herald of the South"
should be devoted to the study and presentation of those subjects
that reflect the spirit of the Teachings, and which as such
are worthy of consideration by the believers. As the national
organ of the Australian and New-Zealand friends its main
function is to assist in disseminating the knowledge of the
Cause, and thus develop into an effective teaching medium.
This is the goal which the editors should have constantly in
______________________
+F1 The National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of Australia and New
+F1 Zealand
+P88
mind, and which they should endeavour to attain through the
best possible means they can devise at present....
(Extract, ibid., pp. 25, 26, dated March 30th, 1938)
PHILOSOPHERS (80)
We must not take many of &Abdu'l-Baha's statements
as dogmatic finalities, for there are other points which when
added to them round out the picture. For instance, when He
calls Aristotle and Plato Philosophers of the East, He is obviously
placing them in that category because He believes they
belong more correctly to Eastern culture than to Central
European and the New World cultures of the West. When He
calls the philosophers of the West materialistic this does not
for a moment mean He includes all Western philosophers for,
as you truly point out, many of them have been very spiritual
in their concepts....
Historians cannot be sure Socrates did not visit the
Holy Land. But believing as we do that &Abdu'l-Baha had an
intuitive knowledge quite different from our own, we accept
His authority on this matter....
The Guardian hopes this will better enable you to
understand our wonderful Faith--for a living religion it is,
and not merely a philosophy!
(Extract, letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
June 7th, 1946)
SCOUTING (81)
As to the Scout movement, they afford a great disciplinary
lesson to the young boys and girls provided they are
not prepared directly for the army. In some towns here we
have in some of the schools Scout troops who are also students
of the Colleges and it has proved to be a great educational
scheme for helping the development of the children but
they are never taught to carry arms or even the use of firearms.
And furthermore they are often taught the evils of war
rather than encourage them to become in future active
+P89
soldiers with imperialistic designs. This of course is my own
personal view.
(Extract, letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
December 30th, 1925)
SOUL, MIND AND SPIRIT (82)
When studying at present, in English, the available
&Baha'i writings on the subject of body, soul and spirit, one is
handicapped by a certain lack of clarity because not all were
translated by the same person, and also there are, as you
know, still many &Baha'i writings untranslated. But there is no
doubt that spirit and soul seem to have been interchanged in
meaning sometimes; soul and mind have, likewise, been interchanged
in meaning, no doubt due to difficulties arising from
different translations. What the &Baha'is do believe though is
that we have three aspects of our humanness, so to speak, a
body, a mind and an immortal identity--soul or spirit. We
believe the mind forms a link between the soul and the body,
and the two interact on each other.
(Extract, letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
June 7th, 1946)
+P90
+P91
Appendix
+P92
+P93
Notes
1. (Letter No. 1) Margaret Stevenson, the first New Zealand &Baha'i
was born on November 30th, 1865. Her first intimation of the &Baha'i Faith
was through reading "The Christian Commonwealth" and she admitted
later that "she did not think any more about it". She received this journal
from her sister who was in London studying music and had heard
&Abdu'l-Baha address the congregation of St. John's, Westminster at the
invitation of Canon Wilberforce. She was so impressed that when another
discourse given by &Abdu'l-Baha at City Temple, London was printed in
"The Christian Commonwealth" dated March 27th, 1911, she sent a copy
of the journal to Margaret in New Zealand. In 1912, Miss Dorothea Spinney
arrived in Auckland from London and stayed with Margaret at her
home, "Clunie", 3, Cowie Street, Parnell where she talked about the
&Baha'i Cause and her own meeting with &Abdu'l-Baha. To quote Margaret's
own words: "As a child, I used to wish I had lived when Christ was
on earth. As Miss Spinney spoke, I remembered my childhood wish, and
the thought came to me that I too might have denied Him as so many others
had done. It was this secret thought that made me seriously think of what I
heard from Miss Spinney, and through God's grace and mercy I was
enabled to grasp and believe in &Baha'u'llah and His Message".+F1 Margaret
spoke to others of her belief and obtained literature from America, becoming
a subscriber to "Star of the West". Eventually a study group was
formed in Auckland and for ten years, Margaret's home was a venue for
these classes. It was here that the first &Baha'i Feast in New Zealand took
place in January, 1923.
In 1925, Margaret was one of a small group who journeyed from
New Zealand to the Holy Land on pilgrimage, and after an inspiring nineteen
days in Haifa, travelled on to England where she met with the English
&Baha'i community. The pilgrims arrived back in Auckland in December,
1925, bringing with them some dust from the Tomb of &Baha'u'llah which
was placed in New Zealand soil at the Stevenson's home in a ceremony
held on February 14th, 1926.
In such a geographically remote country, the early New Zealand
believers had scant knowledge of &Baha'i administration and erroneously
called themselves an Assembly as early as 1924. This was corrected with
______________________
+F1 "The &Baha'i World, Vol. IX, 1940-1944", pp. 600-602. &Baha'i Publishing
+F1 Committee, Wilmette, Illinois, 1945
+P94
the receipt of a booklet on the subject and the first properly constituted
&Baha'i Assembly in New Zealand was formed on April 21st, 1926, with
Margaret Stevenson as its Secretary. A steadfast worker, Margaret was a
member of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of Australia
and New Zealand which was elected in 1934, and served the &Baha'i Cause
with faithfulness and efficiency until her passing to the &Abha Kingdom on
February 11th, 1941.
2. (Letter No. 1) Born in London in 1855, Hyde Dunn was engaged in
business in Britain and continental Europe before emigrating to the United
States. In 1905, whilst at a tinsmith's shop in Seattle, he observed the
shopkeeper in excited conversation with a man who had just returned from
the Prison of &Akka and the presence of &Abdu'l-Baha; he overheard the
quotation "Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country, but let him
glory in this, that he loves his kind". Hyde Dunn later recalled that "The
words reached me with dynamic force, its truth and power crystallised in
my heart--a new consciousness awakened... That one glorious utterance
magnetised my whole being, appealed as a new note, sent forth from
God to His wandering creatures--a Message from the Supreme to the sons
of men".+F1 Recognising the Truth, Hyde Dunn interrupted the conversation,
and accepted immediately the Revelation of &Baha'u'llah. The year
was 1905.
In 1912, he was present at a meeting with &Abdu'l-Baha in San
Francisco and declared it was the Master's "penetrating glance, his life
giving words, he felt gave him the power that enabled him later to become
the spiritual conqueror of a continent". Accompanied by his English born
wife, Clara, he answered the call of the "Tablets of the Divine Plan" and
on April 18th, 1920 reached Australia whence they travelled to New Zealand
in 1922-3, not knowing there was already a believer there (Margaret
Stevenson). With their arrival in Auckland, the Cause grew in that country
and when Hyde Dunn left to return to Australia, Clara remained for a time
to organise a study group in New Zealand.
Known affectionately among &Baha'is as "Mother" and "Father"
Dunn, they carried the Message of &Baha'u'llah from New South Wales to
Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, across the desert to Perth and to
tropical Queensland and became the spiritual parents of Australia. After
"Mother" Dunn returned from a lone pilgrimage to the Holy Land,
"Father" was elected a member of the first National Spiritual Assembly of
______________________
+F1 "The &Baha'i World, Vol. IX, 1940-1944", pp. 593-596. &Baha'i Publishing
+F1 Committee, Wilmette, Illinois, 1945
+P95
the &Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand in 1934. After his passing on
February 17th, 1941, "Mother" Dunn's dedication to the &Baha'i Faith
continued unabated and in 1952 she was elevated to the station of Hand of
the Cause of God by Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the &Baha'i Faith:
"Father" Dunn was subsequently elevated to the same station posthumously.
Despite her advanced years, "Mother" Dunn returned to New Zealand
in 1957 as representative of the Guardian at the formation of the first
National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of New Zealand. In March,
1958, at the request of the Guardian, she placed plaster from the Castle of
&Mah-Ku in the foundations of the Australasian &Baha'i House of Worship in
Sydney during the Australian Inter-Continental Conference. Until her passing
to the &Abha Kingdom in 1960 at the age of 91 years, "Mother" Dunn
retained her memory of many &Baha'i prayers and was reciting these at the
time of her death.
3. (Letter No. 2) The Blundell family: Mrs Sarah Blundell was born at
Burwell, Cambridgeshire, England in 1850, a year sacred in &Baha'i history
as that of the &Bab's martyrdom, and was destined to become one of the
pioneers of the &Baha'i Cause in New Zealand. She received her early religious
training from her "Non-Conformist" father, a man whose strong
convictions led him to withdraw his seven year old daughter from religious
instruction classes at her boarding school. The feeling of isolation which
followed caused her to think for herself and she had the rare distinction of
being one of the first women to enter the Cambridge University Examinations
in an age prejudiced against the education of women.
In 1886, with her husband and seven children, she arrived in New
Zealand where she endured hardship and difficulties in a strange country.
She persisted in her unfettered search for truth and rejected several dogmas
until, with an open mind and a prepared heart, she read in "The Christian
Commonwealth" of &Abdu'l-Baha's visit to London in 1911 and sent overseas
for additional literature. When Mr and Mrs Dunn arrived in Auckland
in 1922-3, Mrs Blundell invited them to her home, "Lymbury", Ridings
Road, Remuera to meet a group of twenty people whom she thought might
be interested. This was the first &Baha'i meeting held in New Zealand and
shortly afterwards Mrs Blundell accepted the &Baha'i Faith.
On hearing from Martha Root that Shoghi Effendi and the Ladies of
the Household were eager to welcome the New Zealand friends, Sarah
Blundell arranged to make the journey to the Holy Land in 1925 visit the
Holy Family, and the Shrines of the &Bab, &Baha'u'llah and &Abdu'l-Baha,
and to meet in person many other &Baha'is--this was "a crowning gift to
+P96
one whose spiritual path had been travelled alone."+F1 She returned to New
Zealand after first going home to England to see her relatives and, at the
Guardian's suggestion, make personal contact with the English &Baha'i
community. She continued to work unsparingly in New Zealand to serve
the Cause of &Baha'u'llah until her passing at the age of eighty-four years on
December 20th, 1934.
One of her daughters, Ethel Blundell who accepted the &Baha'i Faith
in 1925, was a delegate to the first &Baha'i Convention and was elected as a
member of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of Australia
and New Zealand in May, 1934.
Mrs Blundell's son, Hugh, was also destined to serve the &Baha'i
Cause. Although not at that time a &Baha'i, Hugh accompanied his mother
and sister on their pilgrimage to Haifa in 1925 and accepted the Faith the
following year. A tireless worker for the Cause, he was New Zealand's first
Auxiliary Board Member and passed to the &Abha Kingdom on October
16th, 1976 in his ninety-second year.
4. (Letter No. 2) Effie Baker became disenchanted with the Church
and, having an open and enquiring attitude, was one of a committee formed
in Melbourne responsible for arranging speakers to address the "New
Thought" organisation. This led her to attend a public meeting at which
Hyde Dunn spoke on the &Baha'i Faith and, recognising the truth of the
Message, Effie Baker accepted the Faith the same evening and so became
the first woman believer in Australia. She accompanied Martha Root on the
latter's lecture tour of New Zealand and, learning of the New Zealand
&Baha'is projected journey to the Holy Land in 1925, Effie sold her home
and joined the pilgrims.
After the bounty of visiting the Shrines and meeting with the
Guardian and the Greatest Holy Leaf, Effie acceded to Shoghi Effendi's
request and accompanied the New Zealand friends to London so as to contact
the British &Baha'i community. She planned to return to Australia and
assist the Dunns, and had accepted an invitation from the Ladies of the
Holy Family to stop over in Haifa on her homeward journey, but on arriving
there in June, she found Shoghi Effendi was away from the Holy Land
and so decided to wait until he returned. Her offer to serve was accepted
and she remained at the World Centre of the &Baha'i Faith in Israel for the
next eleven years where she assumed the duties of hostess, welcoming the
friends to the Pilgrim House, using her artistry and talent to photograph
events in Haifa for the Guardian. In 1930, when the need arose to secure
______________________
+F1 "The &Baha'i World, Vol. VI, 1934-1936", pp. 496-498. &Baha'i Publishing
+F1 Committee, New York, 1937
+P97
photographs of places in Persia associated with the early history of the
&Baha'i Faith, Effie undertook arduous journeys by road through Syria and
Iraq, undeterred by danger from hostile bandits. This intrepid worker now
embarked on an exacting and fruitful period of direct service to the Guardian,
often using cars supplied by the Persian believers, at times travelling
on horseback, mule or donkey to all but a few sites where it was too
dangerous for a westerner to venture. The unique photographic record she
obtained was immortalised by being selected by the Guardian for inclusion
in Nabil's "The Dawnbreakers".
In 1936, Effie returned to her homeland, Australia, where she
looked after the National Archives over a long period. Her last years were
spent in a small flat in the &Haziratu'l-Quds in Sydney at the invitation of
the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand who had been
requested by the Guardian to take care of her until her passing on January
2nd, 1968.
5. (Letter No. 15) Mrs Amy Dewing and her son Bertram were
among New Zealand's earliest &Baha'is; Mrs Dewing came from an orthodox
Church of England background and viewed with disapproval her
son's questioning attitude which led him to describe himself as a Rationalist.
They heard of and accepted the Truth of the &Baha'i Cause after
meeting with "Mother" and "Father" Dunn in Devonport, Auckland and,
in 1926, both of them served as members of the first Local Spiritual Assembly
in Auckland. Amy Dewing, as one of a small and persevering
group of New Zealand believers, was active in spreading the Message as
was her son through whose efforts a &Baha'i magazine was published in
Australia and New Zealand to promote the teachings. Prior to her passing
in 1957, Amy Dewing witnessed the emergence of the New Zealand community
as an independent entity.
Having travelled extensively overseas, Bertram Dewing eventually
settled in Auckland. A tireless worker for the Faith, he was a member of the
first Local Spiritual Assembly in Devonport in 1951 and in 1958 was
elected to the second National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of New
Zealand. He pioneered to Hokianga in the same year and a decade later assisted
in spreading the Faith to New Plymouth where he worked for the
Cause with unabated zeal until he passed to the &Abha Kingdom in 1972 at
the age of seventy.
6. (Letter No. 16) Dr &Habib, whose older brother attained martyrdom,
was born in 1888 at &Kermanshah, Persia and was given the name
Mu'ayyad (meaning `confirmed') by &Abdu'l-Baha. At the age of twenty-one,
when en route to Beirut to begin his medical studies at the American
+P98
University, he spent a month in the Holy Land with &Abdu'l-Baha who took
a personal interest in his progress. Thereafter he returned each summer to
serve the Cause, extending hospitality to visitors and pilgrims, recording
daily events, acquiring spiritual knowledge from outstanding &Baha'i
scholars and being entrusted with the receipt and dispatch of Tablets.
Referring to &Habib's student days, &Abdu'l-Baha extolled the young man's
influence, detachment and sanctity, saying "the fragrance of Beirut" perfumed
His nostrils.
After graduating from the University of Beirut in 1914, Dr &Habib
operated a dispensary at &Abu-Sinan, a Druse village northeast of &Akka
where the Master had temporarily settled the &Baha'is: this period of close
contact with the Holy Family and daily lessons from &Abdu'l-Baha he was
later to describe as the "most precious segment of his life". In a Tablet to
Dr &Habib's father, &Abdu'l-Baha described this dedicated young &Baha'i as
"A lamp enkindled with the love of God".
In 1915, responding to the Master's specific instructions, Dr &Habib
returned to his birthplace to practice his profession and teach the Faith to
which he was so deeply devoted, and was for forty years a member of the
Local Spiritual Assembly of &Kermanshah, also serving for a period on the
National Spiritual Assembly. His published works include two volumes of
reminiscences based on the principles of the Covenant and the history of
the Cause, whilst his much loved poem entitled "Hold Thou my Hand, O
&Abdu'l-Baha" is widely sung at gatherings of the &Baha'is in &Iran. Dr
&Habib Mu'ayyad passed to the &Abha Kingdom on October 29th, 1971.
7. (Letter No. 16) The Moslem calendar dates from &Muhammad's
emigration or Hijrah from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D. The Moslem year
begins with the month of &Muharram of which the first ten days are observed
by &Shi'ah Moslems as part of their mourning period for the &Imams. The
tenth day is called &Ashura and commemorates the martyrdom of &Husayn,
the grand-son of &Muhammad, who was cut down by thirty-three strokes of
swords and lances and decapitated: his clothes were torn from him and his
naked body trampled by horses hooves.
8. (Letter No. 23) Mrs Emily Axford was born in Huddersfield,
England on October 19th, 1870 and was an infant teacher before her marriage.
In 1907, the family emigrated to New Zealand where her husband
practiced medicine in Te Aroha until his passing in 1912, after which Mrs
Axford moved to Auckland so as to educate her three children. Having rejected
conventional Christianity, she was attracted by the New England
Transcendental Movement until she became aware of the &Baha'i Faith
through her friendship with Sarah Blundell and was enrolled as a member
+P99
in 1923. Three years later, Mrs Axford was elected Chairman of the first
Local Spiritual Assembly in Auckland and for many years conducted
classes in public speaking to help the friends overcome their shyness and
reticence so that they might teach the Faith effectively. Emily was one of
three New Zealand delegates who attended the National Convention held
in Sydney during 1934 and the following year was elected to the National
Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand. She continued
to work staunchly for the Faith, being appointed in 1946 to the Regional
Teaching Committee responsible for formulating teaching plans
throughout New Zealand. The following year, she assumed the delicate
task of conducting negotiations with the immigration authorities so that
&Baha'is from Persia might be permitted to enter New Zealand as University
students, and was actively engaged in this work up to the time of her passing
on December 26th, 1949.
9. (Letter No. 33) Born in 1900, Miss Kitty Carpenter became a
&Baha'i in 1936 since when many members of the Carpenter-Hancock family
of which she is a member have followed her and joined the Faith. An
adventurous and enquiring soul, she undertook her first pilgrimage to
Haifa in 1938, arriving there shortly after the marriage of Shoghi Effendi
and, after living for two years in Australia, she returned to New Zealand
where she embarked on a life of service to the Cause. Towards the end of
the Second World War, she willingly made available her premises (a
counter lunch-shop) in Anzac Avenue as a venue for the Auckland &Baha'i
community and, in the 1950's, responded to the call by travel teaching in
Mangakino and Whangarei. She served on the National Spiritual Assembly
of the &Baha'is of New Zealand during 1958 and, two years later, moved
from Christchurch to Hamilton to aid in establishing an assembly there.
1964 saw her travel teaching in Invercargill and the following year she was
appointed to the National Teaching Committee. Responding to the need for
the believers to establish another assembly, Kitty finally made her home in
Tauranga where she is an active and much loved exponent of the Cause.
10. (Letter No. 37) This refers to a book on &Islam written by Bertram
Dewing which was never published.
+P100
+P101
Addressees
Letters addressed to individuals by letter number. Only letters presented in
their entirety are indicated.
1. Margaret Stevenson
2. Sarah Blundell
3. Margaret Stevenson
4. Bertram Dewing
5. Margaret Stevenson
6. Margaret Stevenson
7. Bertram Dewing
8. Margaret Stevenson
9. Sarah Blundell
10. Sarah Blundell
11. Margaret Stevenson
12. Evelyn Watkin
13. Bertram Dewing
14. Sarah Blundell
15. Amy Dewing
16. Amy Dewing
17. Evelyn Watkin
18. Margaret Stevenson
19. ...+F1
20. Bertram Dewing
21. Amy Dewing
22. Amy Dewing
23. Emily Axford
24. Eleanor Leighton
25. Bertram Dewing
26. Ethel Blundell
27. Amy Dewing
______________________
+F1 Unable to identify. Department of the Secretariat, Universal House of
+F1 Justice, August, 1979
+P102
28. Ethel Blundell
29. Emily Axford
30. Emily Axford
31. Emily Axford
32. Emily Axford
33. Kitty Carpenter
34. Emily Axford
35. Emily Axford
36. Emily Axford
37. Bertram Dewing
38. Kitty Carpenter
39. Bertram Dewing
40. Kitty Carpenter
41. Kitty Carpenter
+P103
Addressees
Letters addressed to institutions by letter number
42. E. Axford, Auckland &Baha'i Group
43. E. Axford, Chairman, Auckland Spiritual Assembly
44. M. Stevenson, Secretary, Auckland Spiritual Assembly
45. National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of Australia and
New Zealand
46. National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of Australia and
New Zealand
47. H. M. Brooks, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand
48. H. M. Brooks, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand
49. H. M. Brooks, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand
50. H. M. Brooks, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand
51. Auckland Spiritual Assembly
52. National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of Australia and
New Zealand
53. Auckland Spiritual Assembly
54. National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of Australia and
New Zealand
55. D. Dive, Secretary, Auckland Spiritual Assembly
56. Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of Auckland, New Zealand
57. National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of Australia and
New Zealand
58. E. B. Dewing, Secretary, Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of
Auckland, New Zealand
59. M. G. Bolton, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand
60. J. Heggie, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of
Australia and New Zealand
61. J. Heggie, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand
+P104
62. J. Heggie, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of
Australia and New Zealand
63. Secretary, Regional Teaching Committee for New Zealand
64. The Guardian's message to the first &Baha'i Convention in
New Zealand, sent to Mrs Clara Dunn; she was asked to read it
on behalf of the Guardian at the Convention and then give it to
the New Zealand National Spiritual Assembly
65. Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of
New Zealand
66. Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of
New Zealand
67. N. P. L. Walker, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the
&Baha'is of Australia
68. Secretary, Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of the City of Auckland
69. National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is of New Zealand