Unfolding Destiny

With regard to change in the official title of the N.S.A. he is pleased that the matter has been definitely decided. 89 (i.e.—“National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles.”)

In connection with the important question of collating and editing the Master’s Tablets to the friends in the British Isles … Shoghi Effendi has already wired his reply. (i.e.—Cablegram Haifa February 3 1930—

“WELCOME TOWNSHEND’S SPLENDID SUGGESTION REGARDING COLLECTION TABLETS, ADVISE SEND ORIGINALS TO HIM FOR PRESENT.”)

Shoghi Effendi wants me to express his pleasure over such an undertaking, and he sincerely trusts that it will result into a splendid achievement for posterity—a mine of endless knowledge, illumination, and insight into Bahá’í teachings and outlook.

He wishes me to add that whereas he welcomes the work on the Tablets the friends have received from the Master he does not wish anything done on notes taken or personal accounts of visits.

The reason for this is the fear that a set of conflicting accounts of the same topic may crop up in various parts of the world from friends who have drawn largely from their memory, or have based their understanding of the Master’s opinion or words, upon the imperfect, not to say faulty, renderings of the interpreters of those days.

Such accounts are not only impossible to verify but may lead to much perplexity and constitute a set of traditions that may not prove healthy….