Letters from the Guardian to Australia and New Zealand

The Guardian has instructed me to answer your welcome letter to him of June 20th, with all its good news.

The response your teaching work met with in Brisbane is truly most encouraging and shows a remarkable receptivity on the part of the people of Australia to the Divine Message. Shoghi Effendi hopes that you will be able to undertake many such trips in furtherance of the teaching work and that an increasing number of the friends will do likewise.

Indeed all the news that comes from the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand bears witness to the soundness of their understanding of the teachings, their loyalty and devotion to the Cause and its laws, and the excellence of their faith itself.

The Guardian has recently written a long general letter to the Bahá’ís of the West. Owing to its length and the difficulty of 40 sending a large number of manuscripts abroad at such a time, he has requested the N.S.A. of America to forward it to the other National Spiritual Assemblies. He trusts it will soon reach you.

The news received of the Winter session of the Yerrinbool school was very encouraging. Shoghi Effendi hopes that many of these points of community contact, such as school sessions, teaching conferences—whatever form of activity is most feasible—will be increasingly inaugurated, as they are of vital importance in fostering the work of the Cause.

He most deeply appreciates your own untiring services in promotion of the Faith in all its branches. You may rest assured that he will often pray for you, and he will also pray for the confirmation of those souls whom you and Mrs. Hawthorne attracted during your recent trip.

With Bahá’í love,

P.S. The Guardian has not yet received the record of Martha’s voice nor photographs of Father Dunn. Will you kindly send one copy of each to him as soon as convenient.

It is indeed thrilling to note the rapidity and soundness with which the flourishing Bahá’í community in that far-off land is establishing the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, is fearlessly proclaiming its truths, upholding its verities and standards, multiplying its institutions, defending its interests, disseminating its literature, and exemplifying its invincible power and spirit. I rejoice, feel proud, and am eternally grateful. I cannot but pray, with redoubled fervour, to Him Who so manifestly guides and sustains you, to increase your numbers, to remove every barrier that obstructs your path, to safeguard your unity, to bless your undertakings and to enable you to demonstrate, afresh and with still greater force, the reality of the faith that animates you in the discharge of your sacred duties. Be assured and persevere.