|
Letter of July 22nd, 1947
|
|
|
|
|
The letters from the N.S.A. (some written by the former
Secretary) dated Sep. 2nd, 1946, Feb. 10th, March 9th, April 27th
(two of this date), June 13th and July 10th have been received,
as well as their enclosures, and the beloved Guardian has instructed
me to answer them on his behalf.
|
He is very anxious that your Assembly should devote its
energies and resources to prosecuting the teaching work and
stimulating and encouraging the believers to devote their
thoughts and time to it. This is really the solution to all the
small problems and differences of opinion that arise in Australia.
It is the sacred duty of the believers to teach, and one of the
69
reasons for so painstakingly building up Assemblies is for them
to promulgate the Cause of God, and not to lose their time in
discussing details, settling disputes which should not have arisen
between Bahá’ís, and generally losing themselves in personalities.
|
He urges your Assembly to try and create as many local assemblies
as possible; large suburbs, if outside the city limits and
possessing their own administration should—if 9 Bahá’ís reside
in them, form separate assemblies. This may at first seem to
weaken the larger communities; but it will also challenge all
concerned to renew their labours to expand the local communities
and increase their numbers.
|
Enclosed is a letter to Mr. Featherstone in connection with
his letter sent to the Guardian by your Assembly.
|
Regarding Mr. …’s appeal: the Guardian feels the best
course of action in this matter is to ask both of the believers
concerned to forgive and forget the entire matter.
|
He does not want the friends to form the habit of taking up
a kind of Bahá’í litigation against each other. Their duties to
humanity are too sacred and urgent in these days, when the
Cause is struggling to spread and assert its independence, for
them to spend their precious time, and his precious time, in this
way. Ask them, therefore, to unite, forget the past, and serve as
never before.
|
His loving prayers are offered for you and the other members
of the Assembly, for your guidance and success.
|
With warm greetings,
R. Rabbani.
|
|
|
Dear and valued co-workers:
|
The Plan, on which the National elected representatives of
the Bahá’í communities of Australia and New Zealand have
spontaneously embarked marks a turning-point, of great spiritual
significance, in the evolution of the Faith in those far-off lands,
and is an evidence of the truly remarkable spirit that animates
them as well as the communities they represent. I welcome this
mighty step they have taken with joy, pride and gratitude, and
have hastened to transmit to them my contribution as a token of
my keen appreciation of their high endeavours, of my confidence
in their ability, and of my admiration for their zeal and noble
70
determination in the service of the Faith. The attention of the
members of both communities must henceforth be focused on
the Plan, its progress, its requirements, its significance and immediate
objectives. All must participate without exception without
reserve, without delay. The Administrative Order which they
have laboured to establish must henceforth, through its organs
and agencies be utilized for the promotion of this vital purpose,
this supreme end. For no other purpose was it created. That it
may serve this end, that the Plan may speedily develop and yield
its destined fruit and demonstrate through its consummation the
worthiness, the capacity and high-mindedness of the organized
body of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in those distant lands are
the objects of my fervent and constant prayers at the Holy
Shrines.
|
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi.
|