Messages to Canada

  • Author:

  • Shoghi Effendi

  • Source:
  • Bahá’í Canada Publications
  • Pages:
  • 276
Go to printed page GO
Pages xviii-xxi

Introduction to the 1965 edition By Hand of the Cause, John A. Robarts
The communications in this book were written by Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá’ís of Canada, mostly through the National Spiritual Assembly. The first message dated January 2nd, 1923, the Guardian wrote when he was twenty-five years old, and in the beginning of his ministry. The others, dating from April 1948, when Canada became an independent Bahá’í Community, continued until almost that tragic day of his death, November 4th, 1957.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in His Will and Testament, wrote of Shoghi Effendi, His eldest and dearly loved grandson: “Salutation and praise, blessing and glory rest upon that primal branch of the Divine and Sacred Lote-Tree, ... the most wondrous, unique and priceless pearl that doth gleam from out the Twin surging seas; ...Well is it with him that seeketh the shelter of his shade that shadoweth all mankind ... as he is the sign of God, the chosen branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God....”
Until 1948, the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada had been one Community. In April of that year, acting upon the instructions of the Guardian, we passed the stage of infancy, attained the status, and assumed the functions, of an independent existence within the Bahá’í World Community. We held our own National Convention in the Maxwell Home, in Montreal, elected our National Spiritual Assembly, the ninth in the Bahá’í world, and were given a Five Year Plan by the Guardian. We proudly became the ninth pillar of the Institution of the Universal House of Justice.
The Five Year Plan called for the incorporation of our National Spiritual Assembly; the establishment of National Bahá’í endowments; doubling the number of our fifteen Local Spiritual Assemblies and raising to one hundred the total number of localities where Bahá’ís reside; the constitution of a group in Newfoundland and the formation of a nucleus of the Faith in Greenland, and the participation of Eskimos and Red Indians in membership to share administrative privileges in local Institutions of the Faith in Canada.
For the mere handful of Bahá’ís scattered across Canada, this Plan seemed a colossal task. But, as a reading of these messages will reveal, the Guardian knew the goals were attainable. He gave us a glimpse of his great vision of the Cause. He reminded us of the promises of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: “The future of the Dominion of Canada ... is very great and the events connected with it infinitely glorious....” He showed us that dedication and service to the Cause of God must come first in our lives. His stirring appeals, his unwavering faith in us, his love and his prayers for us, his keen interest in the execution of all phases of the Plan, his constant encouragement, his sympathy and understanding in our difficulties, his deep appreciation, gratitude and pride in every victory, his reminding us of the promises of Divine assistance, brought us to April 1953, with our Five Year Plan completed.
To our sixth National Convention he cabled: “Overjoyed grateful triumphant conclusion Five Year Plan most momentous enterprise launched Canadian Bahá’í history initiated morrow emergence independent existence Canadian Bahá’í Community....”
In that same cable he announced details of our part of the Ten Year World Crusade, “constituting prelude mightier undertaking designed consolidate magnificent victories achieved homefront inaugurate Community’s historic mission beyond confines Dominion. Ten Year Plan its valiant members now embarking upon enabling them push outposts Faith northernmost territories Western Hemisphere associating them members seven other sister Communities raising aloft banner Faith Pacific Islands....”
These messages contain both instruction and inspiration. The Guardian gave us a deeper understanding of the Faith. We are very proud that he paid such loving tributes to a number of Canadian Bahá’ís: Sutherland and May Maxwell, their daughter now Rúhíyyih Khánum, Siegfried (Freddie) Schopflocher, Marion Jack, and others.
While we suffered the devastating loss of our cherished Guardian at almost the halfway point of the Crusade we are happy that the goals have been achieved. We know that he will be overjoyed and grateful for the triumphant conclusion of his Ten Year World Crusade, “the greatest spiritual drama the world has ever witnessed”. We will now go forward with our fifty-five sister Communities of the Bahá’í world to establish the Kingdom of God upon the earth.
A fuller perspective of the work of Shoghi Effendi is obtained by reading these messages in conjunction with those he wrote before 1948, to the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, and from 1950, to the Bahá’ís of the world. For thirty-six years he was the Divine Tree that shadowed all mankind. He was the most wondrous, unique and priceless being. He was indeed the Guardian of the Cause of God.