A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
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Refrain from Imposing New Rules |
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In reading your annual Convention report the Guardian has
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noted the request made that the N.S.A. should lay down certain
rules of procedure. He has already informed the American
N.S.A. that they should henceforth refrain from laying down
any further rules and regulations, as these would tend to rigidify
the affairs of the Cause and ultimately obscure its spirit and
retard its growth. He feels that your Assembly should exercise
the same care, and avoid introducing any rules of procedure not
already in existence. Every case coming before the Assembly
should be judged on its own merits, and be decided individually
without any recourse to new rulings.
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The Guardian will constantly pray for the success of all your
undertakings, as well as for the welfare and progress of all the
dear believers in India and Burma. Particularly will he remember
in his prayers the members of the National Assembly
who are called upon to direct, coordinate, and carry out the
Indian Baha’is’ great and noble teaching enterprise.
Prosecute Six-Year Plan With Unremitting
Energy
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The Six-Year Plan, which you have so nobly conceived and
so enthusiastically initiated, must, during these crucial years,
when the first century of the Baha’i Era is drawing to a
close, be prosecuted with unremitting energy, and unshaken
determination. The vastness of the field, the smallness of
your numbers, the indifference of the masses, must neither
discourage nor appal you. You should at all times fix your
gaze on the promise of Baha’u’llah, put your whole trust in
His creative Word, recall the past and manifold evidences of
His all-encompassing and resistless power and arise to become
worthy and exemplary recipients of His all-sustaining
grace and blessings. I appeal to every Indian and Burmese
believer, however modest his position, however limited his
knowledge, however restricted his means, to rise to the height
of this great opportunity which if missed will not recur
again. To disperse, to settle, to teach by word and deed,
to persevere and sacrifice are the requirements of the present
hour. May the Almighty, Whose Cause you are labouring
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to advance, endow you and your fellow-workers with all the
wisdom, the strength, and guidance that you need to acquit
yourselves worthily of this task.
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Shoghi Effendi was also very happy to hear from you that
you consider the Faith is making substantial progress in India,
due to the tireless and devoted efforts of our Baha’i brothers
and sisters in that land. He would, however, urge the friends
to follow the example of the American believers by sending out
more pioneers to work in territories where there are no Baha’is.
This is in accordance with the idea expressed by the beloved
Master in the “Divine Plan” Tablets, and should be followed
by all Baha’is.
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I am eagerly and hopefully awaiting to witness fresh
evidences of the renewed determination of the believers
throughout India and Burma, to carry aloft and into virgin
territories the torch of Divine Guidance despite the dark
clouds that threaten on the horizon. In these days of stress
and peril, every effort expended, every victory achieved,
every sacrifice made, will be rewarded a hundredfold. I will
pray earnestly and continually that the friends may evince
such zeal and perseverance as to ensure the complete success
of the Six-Year Plan which they, of their own accord, have
so splendidly initiated.
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