Letters from the Guardian to Australia and New Zealand

Your letter of Feb. 9th has been received (written on behalf of the N.S.A.), and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf and to also acknowledge receipt of the copy of the resolutions which you forwarded in it. 53

The news you conveyed was all very encouraging and pleased him greatly.

He was particularly happy to hear of the formation of a new Spiritual Assembly at Caringbah as this marks an important step forward in the growth of the Cause and its administrative institutions in Australia. He hopes that the N.S.A. will, through travelling and visiting teachers, and Bahá’í settlers and pioneers, be able to speedily ensure the establishment of further assemblies; wherever the conditions for their development seem most promising, the efforts should be concentrated.

He was also very glad to hear that the Hazíratu’l-Quds has been successfully transferred to the name of the National Assembly. He is looking forward to receiving the photographs of its opening, and of the Centenary dinner, which you are sending him. Likewise he was pleased to see it is being put to such active use and teaching classes, public meetings, etc. being held in it.

He cannot stress too much the vital importance of the teaching work, and he hopes that all the believers, however circumscribed their means, however unqualified they may feel themselves to be, will arise and contribute their share to this all-important work. The Cause has, all things considered, made remarkable progress in Australia and New Zealand of late; but the united efforts of all the friends are required to spread the Divine Message during these moving and dark times the world is passing through. They must fix their eyes on the abject misery of humanity and, forgetful of their own limitations, deliver the Teachings to their fellow countrymen.

He assures you and your co-workers that he deeply appreciates your devoted services, and will constantly pray for the progress of the Faith in those distant and important lands.

P.S. He hopes that the N.S.A. watches over dear Mother Dunn. She is now advancing in years and deserves the greatest love and consideration in view of the imperishable services she and Father Dunn rendered the Cause there.

P.P.S. Your previous letter, dated Aug. 18th as well as the photostat copies connected with the incorporation of the N.S.A. reached 54 him. He was delighted at this further evidence of the efficiency of that body and the manner in which it is consolidating its foundation.

The teaching responsibilities confronting the Australian and New Zealand believers are of supreme importance and of extreme urgency. Now that the basis of the Administrative Order has been firmly laid, and fully understood, and the national Hazíratu’l-Quds established in the leading city of the Australian Commonwealth, the attention of the members of the entire community must be focussed on the teaching work—the promotion of which is the ultimate object of the entire machinery of the Administrative Order and its subsidiary institutions and agencies. The multiplication of Bahá’í groups, the steady increase in the number of local assemblies, the dissemination of literature, the dispersal of the believers, no matter how small their number, to important centers throughout the continent constitute the vital task of the infant community which has, despite its limited resources and isolated situation, demonstrated its capacity to establish on a sound basis the primary institutions of its Faith, to safeguard its unity and promote its vital interests. That it may forge ahead and overcome every obstacle in its path and fulfil its high destiny is my fondest hope and constant prayer.