Letters from the Guardian to Australia and New Zealand

Your letters, written on behalf of the N.S.A. and dated June 15th, and 16th, July 26th and Sep. 15th, 1945, and Jan. 7th, 1946, together with their enclosures, have been received, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer them on his behalf.

He is very pleased to see the progress the Cause is making in Australia and New Zealand and hopes that the N.S.A. will not only inspire and encourage the believers in their teaching activities, but will also constantly impress on them the need for the greatest love and unity to prevail in their midst; the masses will only really turn to the Faith when they see that in it true religion is practiced as well as preached!

The recent articles attacking the Cause are a sign that its influence is sufficiently felt to be feared—a great compliment to the progress you are making in spreading the message!

Concerning the various points raised in your letters: He noticed, from your letter of Jan. 7th, that you were planning to hold the annual Convention in May, and cabled you that it must be held in the Riḍván period—as are all the other National Bahá’í Conventions the world over,—even though some other date might be more convenient locally.

He feels that the Yerrinbool Summer School should hold longer sessions; in this respect the friends cannot do better than to pattern themselves on the American Summer Schools, some of 60 which now hold two or three Summer sessions, and even a “Winter Session”. Although such a large number of sessions may be premature for Australia at present, the goal should be kept in mind as you seek to expand your school.

There can be no schism in the Bahá’í Faith because the Guardianship is established on an unassailable foundation, supported by a signed, sealed document—the Will. Schism can only flourish where there is ambiguity or no specific proof. The New History Society is like a branch that has no roots, and will soon dry up and wither. It has not caused, nor can it cause, a breach among the believers.

He was very happy to see you are now establishing Regional Teaching Com.’s, and hopes you will concentrate all your resources, and the energy of the friends, on establishing new Assemblies and groups.

He assures you, one and all, that his loving prayers will be offered for your guidance and for the success of your important work.

P.S. He was very pleased to see the article on the Faith in “Truth”. The Cause is certainly getting very good publicity out there!

The activities initiated by the dearly beloved friends in Australia and New Zealand, and so diligently promoted by them all are highly meritorious; and will, no doubt, bear abundant fruit in the days to come. The utmost effort should be exerted by individuals as well as local assemblies to increase the number of the active supporters of the Faith and to enable them to disperse as widely as possible, to multiply the groups that must sooner or later evolve into assemblies, to achieve greater publicity for the Faith through the radio and the press, to extend the range of the activities of the Bahá’í Faith, to foster the institution of the summer-school, and to consolidate and enlarge the scope of the Hazíratu’l-Quds. These are the main objectives that demand the concentrated attention of the Australian and New Zealand believers during the months that lie immediately ahead. No sacrifice 61 is too great to ensure the realisation of these noble aims. All must arise and unitedly endeavour to carry to a successful conclusion these vital tasks, with which the immediate destinies of the Faith are so closely linked. That the Beloved may guide and sustain you in all your undertakings, that He may crown your assiduous labours with magnificent success is my dearest wish and ardent prayer.