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Unfolding Destiny
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Pages 282-290
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Letter of 12 June 1952
Dear Bahá'í Brother:
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| 1 |
The beloved Guardian has received your letters of October 3,
October 27 (4), November 5, 9, 22 (2), 24 and 29, December 6,
19 (4) and 21, 1951, and January 1, 2, 7, 11, 16, 17, 20 and 29
(3), February 1, 16, 20 (3), 27 (2) and February 29, March 5 and
14, April 3, 15 and 24, May 5, 13, 19 (2), 27 and 31, and June
6th, 10th and June 12, 1952, and he has instructed me to answer
you on his behalf. He also has received the various enclosures
which you sent with these letters....
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| 2 |
The book you sent from the friends in Bahrein was received,
and pleased the beloved Guardian very much, as the lines are
written in the handwriting of Bahá'u'lláh at the beginning of the
book. (This answers your question in your letter of June 6th.)
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| 3 |
It brought great joy to his heart to see that you were able to
maintain all assemblies in spite of the heavy odds against you. It
demonstrates to him once more the tenacity and devotion of the
British Bahá'ís, which is rapidly becoming one of the great assets
of the Faith in its process of international expansion....
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| 4 |
The wonderful spirit shown by Dr. Afnán and his wife is
certainly an example to all pioneers. He hopes that Mrs. Afnán
will settle herself successfully in Africa, and soon be able to have
her husband join her.
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| 5 |
He was very happy to hear that the Teaching Conference has
been so successful. Undoubtedly the dedication of the friends to
their tasks at that time facilitated the achievement of their goals
in April....
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| 6 |
The Guardian would like to assure your Assembly of his
loving prayers for dear Mr. Sam Scott, who pioneered at such a
ripe age, and who is surely receiving his reward in the Abhá
Kingdom.
[1]
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| 7 |
He considers it advisable that all believers living in Africa,
even those who did so before the beginning of the Plan, should
have some form of credentials....
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| 8 |
Your suggestion of inaugurating the Holy Year next Ridván
and continuing on until October, 1953, with celebrations, meets
with his approval.
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| 9 |
As regards the Africa campaign: this enterprise, so enthusiastically
carried on, has been throughout this past year the greatest
source of joy to the heart of the beloved Guardian. The visits of
the dear Bananis and Ted Cardell, the news they brought and the
general progress of the work, have made Africa seem right next
door to Haifa! The formation of the Dar-es-Salaam and Kampala
Assemblies was also a great satisfaction to him.
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| 10 |
He urges you to now concentrate on an Assembly for Nairobi
by next April. This should not be too difficult of achievement in
view of the devoted efforts of Mr. Cardell and the pioneers eager
to go there.
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| 11 |
As regards your question about Somaliland: any one of the
three Somalilands may be chosen as a goal territory.
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| 12 |
In this connection, he feels that Persian pioneers should be
accepted for any and all territories; they are arising in large
numbers to offer their services, and it is a great pity that these
dedicated and eager friends are so restricted as regards settlement.
Your Assembly should do all in its power to facilitate placing
them.
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| 13 |
The Guardian feels that although the Conference planned for
Kampala is primarily a Conference and in no sense a Convention
(having no delegates), there is no objection to the representatives
of various N.S.A.s who may attend meeting in separate sessions
for more special and concentrated consultation. Any Hands of
the Cause attending could also be included in this private
discussion.
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| 14 |
He feels that now more than ever the British friends have
every reason to feel proud of their accomplishments and happy
over the very evident bestowals from the Throne on High. They
have found, after half a century of development, scope for their
abilities, and a field large enough to distinguish themselves in,
and they are certainly taking advantage of it, much to the delight
of the Guardian and their fellow-Bahá'ís.
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| 15 |
You may be sure that he remembers you all in his prayers, and
also the body of the faithful believers you serve to such good
purpose.
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| 16 |
He would like you to please thank, on his behalf, the friends
who so devotedly contribute to the construction of the Holy
Shrine....
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| 17 |
P.S. As regards Bahá'í divorce as mentioned in your letters of
June 12th: Bahá'ís (whether one party or both are believers)
should follow the Bahá'í law of divorce, i.e. one year of waiting,
and not neglect this divinely given law. Whether they were
Bahá'ís when they married or not has nothing to do with it.
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| 18 |
In connection with the budget, mentioned in your letter of
June 10th, he feels, in the future, you should not set a budget
which the resources of the community are unable to meet;
however, owing to the crucial Africa work and the forthcoming
Conference, he realises you had at this time no other choice. He
is going to arrange for one thousand pounds to be sent to your
Assembly in order to meet the needs of the Conference and the
literature in African languages still to be published. The
remaining translations should be pressed forward in order to be
ready for the Conference next year.
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| 19 |
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers,
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| 20 |
The Two Year Plan on which the British Bahá'í community has
embarked bids fair, as it approaches its conclusion, to eclipse, however
short its duration, the exploits of that community throughout the
length and breadth of the British Isles, in the course of the prosecution
of the first collective enterprise undertaken in British Bahá'í history.
This second historic undertaking marks the inauguration of the
Mission entrusted to this community for the purpose of diffusing the
Message of Bahá'u'lláh and of implanting its banner through successive
stages, and in collaboration with its sister communities, not only in the
territories of the British Crown in the African Continent, but
throughout the dependencies of a widely scattered Empire in the
remaining continents of the globe. It may well be regarded as a
befitting prelude to the official participation of this community in the
Ten Year, world-encircling Crusade, designed to signalise the
celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh's
Mission, involving the systematic co-operation of no less than twelve
National Assemblies throughout the Bahá'í world, and destined to
culminate in the Most Great Jubilee that will, God willing, witness
the introduction of the Faith into all the Sovereign States, the Chief
Dependencies and Islands of the entire planet.
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| 21 |
In the conduct of this world-encompassing task, so vast in scope, so
thrilling in its possibilities, so formidable in its potentialities, the
British Bahá'í community will be called upon to play a preponderating
rôle, in conjunction with the American Bahá'í community, acting as
the Chief Custodians of `Abdu'l-Bahá's Master Plan, and seconded by
its sister communities in the British Dominions in both hemispheres,
in awakening the peoples, races and nations comprising the British
Commonwealth and Empire to the redemptive Message of Bahá'u'lláh,
and in establishing, on an unassailable foundation, the structural basis
of His World Order.
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| 22 |
The diversity of functions which the assumption of this task will
involve; the privileges and bounties it will, of a certainty, confer on its
prosecutors; the degree of dedication, the amount of preparation it will
require for its proper discharge; the severe strain it must necessarily
impose on all those who will shoulder its burdens; the gravity of the
manifold problems it will raise; the severe challenge with which they
who will arise to carry it out will be confronted--as witnessed by the
delicate and complicated situation that has already arisen in the initial
stage of this historic Mission in the heart of Africa, in connection with
the holding of the projected inter-continental conference--all these
must be carefully pondered in preparation for the launching, at its
appointed time, of an undertaking that will constitute, not only a
milestone of the utmost significance in the history of the Faith in the
British Isles, but will also be hailed by posterity as a landmark of
peculiar significance in British history.
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| 23 |
Whilst the small band of wholly dedicated, patiently labouring,
much admired, greatly promising followers and supporters of the Faith,
in England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland, contemplate, from their
respective homelands, the grandeur of their future task, dwell on its
sacred character, and meditate on the wide range of its problems,
possibilities, perils and glories, let them devote particular and sustained
attention to the imperative needs, the urgent requirements of their no
less important and vital mission at home, in their boroughs and
counties, amidst their own people, and strain every nerve to reinforce,
through a rapid increase in their numbers, through a steady
multiplication of their administrative institutions, through a systematic
consolidation of the structure of the edifice they are raising within the
borders of their native land, their respective communities, which must
be regarded as the base for the future operations that will be conducted
by the members of these communities, under the guidance of their
elected representatives, for the spiritual conquest and the ultimate
redemption of the nations, tribes and races owing allegiance to the
British Crown.
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| 24 |
With every forward step taken by this stalwart community in the
path of service to the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh, with every signal victory
achieved for the promulgation of His Faith, a new revelation of the
glorious Mission which this community is privileged to undertake is
unfolded before the eyes of its members and a wider vista of the future
range of its operations, both at home and overseas, opens before it.
With every complication that arises in the course of its unfolding
Mission, with even every seeming reverse it meets with, as its destiny
unfolds, a clearer understanding of the character of its stewardship to
the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh is vouchsafed to its members, a greater measure
of His sustaining grace is poured forth from on high, a more compelling
evidence of His all-conquering power is evinced, and a more majestic
assertion of His mysterious purpose is demonstrated.
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| 25 |
The potent seeds a loving and vigilant Master sowed with His
Own hands, in the course of a twice repeated visit to the homeland of
this community, are now, after having lain dormant for almost a
quarter of a century, at long last, sprouting throughout the length and
breadth of the British Isles, and are even revealing the potency of their
regenerative power, through the instrumentality of those valiant
pioneers, who, faithful to His Call and dedicated to His service, are
leaving the shores of those islands to settle in the territories of a far-away
and backward continent. Amidst their arduous labours, in their
contact with the heterogeneous tribes and races dwelling in that
continent, in their dealings with the civil authorities of divers countries
and states within whose jurisdiction they will labour, in their struggle
with an inhospitable climate, in the hazards to which they will be
inevitably exposed, in the adventures they may experience, in the
reverses they may temporarily suffer, in the opposition they will meet
with, in the tests and trials they will undergo, His unfailing guidance
will be vouchsafed to them in direct proportion to the degree of their
consecration to their task, and the perseverance, the courage and fidelity
they will display as they discharge their duties.
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| 26 |
The remarkable success that has attended their high endeavours
since the initiation of their first collective enterprise within the confines
of their native land, the still more notable evidence of God's sustaining
grace that has accompanied the opening of the first stage of their
Mission overseas, are sufficient proof of the tremendous potency of the
forces at work for the purpose of ensuring the unrestricted expansion
of their future activities within and beyond the frontiers of their island
home, and the ultimate consummation of their magnificent enterprise.
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| 27 |
In the months immediately ahead, the strongholds of the Faith
erected, in the form of local assemblies, and already established in
Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, must be maintained at all costs
in their present strength; the groups and isolated centres already
brought into being must, under no circumstances, be allowed to decrease
in number or be lost to the Faith; the translation and publication of
pamphlets in the languages already selected must be vigorously pushed
forward and completed; the centre in the capital of Kenya must be
assiduously expanded; the preparations for the projected inter-continental
Conference must be carefully carried out; the effective
participation of the representatives of the British Bahá'í community in
the Stockholm inter-continental Conference must be ensured; and all
the preparatory steps, required for the effectual collaboration of the
members of this community in the global crusade, destined to be
launched on the morrow of the world-wide celebrations of the
approaching Holy Year, should, to whatever extent possible, be
undertaken.
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| 28 |
There is no time to lose. The issues at stake call for immediate
action, demand unrelaxing vigilance, undivided attention, and a
consecration unexampled in the annals of the Faith in the British
Isles. Though the number of those summoned to shoulder so immense
a task be dishearteningly small, though the resources at their disposal
be meagre, though the cares and preoccupations of the peoples amidst
whom they live are such as to often blind them to the Faith and its
healing message, yet the position they occupy and the responsibilities
devolving upon them in the heart and centre of a world-wide empire,
the manifold tokens of esteem and loving-kindness showered upon
them during the infancy of this community by the Centre of God's
Covenant; the inherent qualities of tenacity of purpose, of exemplary
fidelity, of perspicacity that distinguishes the race to which they belong,
must inspire hope and confidence in their future, and fully entitles
them to play a leading role in the future proclamation of the Message
of Bahá'u'lláh to the multitudes that live beneath the shadow of the
British Crown.
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| 29 |
That they may become increasingly conscious of the sublimity of
their task; that they may address themselves to it with their
characteristic zeal, ability, intelligence and fervour; that they may
speedily acquire the spiritual potentialities for the initiation of a still
more momentous stage in the unfoldment of their historic Mission;
that they may earn increasingly, through their superb feats, the
unqualified admiration of their brethren in every continent of the globe
and prove themselves worthy of the bounties already received and those
which, we may well believe, are held in store for them, is my cherished
hope and constant prayer.
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| 30 |
Shoghi
Letter of 15 June 1952
[2]
Dear Bahá'í Friends,
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| 31 |
The beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you in his
behalf, to request that information relating to the British Isles
and their activities, contained in the booklet "The Bahá'í Faith"
`Information Statistical and Comparative' be brought up to date
as of May 1 1952, and sent to him here by the first possible air
mail post.
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| 32 |
One of the features of the Holy Year will be the re-issuance of
this important book; inasmuch as the Holy Year is fast
approaching the Guardian wishes the information as quickly as
possible.
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| 33 |
Briefly, the information which your N.S.A. is to provide,
brought up to date of May 1, 1952, is as follows:
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| 34 |
Incorporated local spiritual assemblies in the British Isles.
Bahá'í Centres in the British Isles, showing, if possible, the division between local spiritual assemblies, Groups and Isolated
Believers.
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| 35 |
Any information not immediately available should be handled
by telegraph, but such information as is available should not be
delayed for any one or two delinquents. You can appreciate that
if the booklet is to be published early in the Holy Year, the
information should reach the Guardian at a very early date.
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| 36 |
The Guardian sends his loving greetings to the National
Assembly and its devoted members....
Letter of 29 August 1952
[3]
DEEPLY TOUCHED PROFOUNDLY APPRECIATE NOBLE SENTIMENTS
PRAYING FULFILMENT HIGH DESTINY DEEPEST LOVE.
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| 37 |
SHOGHI
Letter of 15 October 1952
[4]
PROFOUNDLY APPRECIATE MESSAGE ARDENTLY PRAYING BRITISH
COMMUNITY MAY ARISE BEFITTINGLY DISCHARGE GREAT TASKS
AHEAD.
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| 38 |
SHOGHI
Letter of 20 November 1952
[5]
DELIGHTED LOVING APPRECIATION.
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| 39 |
SHOGHI
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Notes
1. [From Leeds to Norwich at age 84 and died at age 86.]
2. [On 9 January 1951 the Guardian announced the formation of the first International Bahá'í Council, hailing it as "the greatest event shedding lustre upon second epoch of Formative Age..." and on 8 March 1952 he enlarged it and named its eight members. Hand of the Cause Leroy Ioas was appointed Secretary General and as such wrote frequently to the British National Spiritual Assembly. He wrote more frequently, however, conveying messages from the Guardian, requesting information, sharing news, etc., signing his letters "Assistant Secretary". This was the first letter of this kind. His letters are now included wherever he indicates that he is writing on behalf of the Guardian.]
3. [Reply to Summer School.]
4. [Reply to greetings of N.S.A. at beginning of Holy Year.]
5. [On completion of nine African Pamphlets, a goal of the Two Year Plan.]
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