Messages to Canada

  • Author:

  • Shoghi Effendi

  • Source:
  • Bahá’í Canada Publications
  • Pages:
  • 276
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Pages 81-82

Letter of 6 July 1944

6 July 1944

To an individual believer

Dear Bahá’í Brother:
Your letter of June 6th has been received, and the Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.
Regarding your questions concerning the advisability of changing the basis of the National Assembly’s election and confining it to the body of delegates or of limiting the term of office: He feels that as any such changes are of a radical nature and should therefore also apply to the National Spiritual Assemblies of other countries they are inadvisable and premature, both for this reason and because of their very nature.
What is needed is to get the Administration in its present form to run more efficiently and at the same time to build up a higher sense of responsibility among the body of the believers. They should be encouraged to think more, not only about the qualifications of members of their elected bodies, but also about such things as you mention, the law of averages, the age and indisposition of some of the members, etc.
When we look back and see what the Administration has accomplished in twenty-odd years, indeed what it has done in the last seven years, we see what strides forward have been made. Far greater tasks lie ahead; but the Guardian does not feel that the way to meet them is to change the present system but rather to perfect it by educating the believers and training them, holding more conferences, publishing more news for Bahá’ís, getting more people active.
He wants you to know that he deeply values your and your dear wife’s tireless and devoted services to our beloved Cause, and he will continue to pray for you both.

With Bahá’í love,

R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker:

I wish to add a few words in person and assure you of my keen and abiding appreciation of your devotion, your zeal and perseverance in the service of our beloved Faith. I greatly value your services, and above all the spirit in which you render them. May the Beloved guide every step you take, and fulfil every desire you cherish for the promotion of His glorious Faith.

Your true and grateful brother,

Shoghi