The Light of Divine Guidance (Volume 1)

The beloved Guardian has reviewed very carefully your recent letter dealing with the designs for the Temple to be built in Germany. He wishes the following explanations to be made to you, and I am therefore enumerating them, so that there may be no misunderstanding.

1. The Guardian has not definitely chosen the Temple design “Azamat” as the one for the Temple in Germany. Of the submissions which have been made up to this time, he feels this is the one that is best susceptible of development for the final design of the Temple. He wishes it clear however that up to the present he has not definitely accepted this design.

2. The Guardian does not wish to interfere unduly with the national tastes nor the actions of the National Assembly; but he attaches the utmost importance to the Temple in Eschborn, as this is the first Temple in Europe, and the only one to be constructed in Europe during the Ten Year Crusade. Therefore he feels that this House of Worship must represent throughout Europe the dignity and spirit of the Faith.

3. The Guardian therefore feels that we should not accept an ultra-modern building, which represents more or less the current spirit of the time, rather than the delicate 246 architectural beauty which the spirit of the Faith should engender.

4. The Guardian would be happy if your Assembly could produce a design of a building, graceful in outline, with a dome. If they can do this he will be very pleased. The main thing for the architect to consider is the mass of the building, the outline of the building and its architectural beauty. Most of the sacred buildings, including the Temple at Wilmette, include elements of the previous schools of architecture in an ensemble that seems to present something new. He thinks the architects should study the graceful mass of the Wilmette Temple, of the design of Mr. Remey for the Temple on Mt. Carmel, and the Shrine of the Báb, as well as the outline of the domes of important buildings, particularly the dome of St. Peters in Rome. In this way they will get an idea of proportions which they feel are suitable. The details and the style is somewhat secondary and is left to the architect’s taste.

5. The ten year period of the Crusade is running along very rapidly; and the Guardian therefore hopes that your Assembly will present him with your final views in connection with the Temple design at a very early date; otherwise he is fearful this most important project will not be consummated within the Ten Year period.

The beloved Guardian was very sorry to learn of the illness of Dr. Mühlschlegel. He wishes to assure you and likewise to assure Dr. Mühlschlegel of his loving prayers for Dr. Mühlschlegel’s complete recovery. He values Dr. Mühlschlegel’s services very highly, and he hopes he will soon be able to again become most active in the Bahá’í work….

The Guardian assures you of his prayers in your behalf. He sends each his loving Greetings.