UNFOLDING DESTINY 
     (U.K., 1981) 
     FILENAME:  UD.FN 
     FILEDATE:  08-06-94 
 
     "...this community can do no better than to gird up afresh its 
loins, turn its back upon the clamour of the age, its fears, confusion 
and strife, step resolutely forward on its chosen path, unshakably 
confident that with every step it takes, should it remain undeflected 
in its purpose and undimmed in its vision, a fresh outpouring of 
Divine grace will reinforce and guide its march on the highroad 
of its destiny."  
                                                 Shoghi 
 
 
v 
     "...The annals of the British &Baha'i community, small in numbers, yet 
unconquerable in spirit, tenacious in belief, undeviating in purpose, alert 
and vigilant in the discharge of its manifold duties and responsibilities, 
have in consequence of its epoch-making achievements been vastly 
enriched.  
     "The process set in motion and greatly accelerated through the 
successive formulation of the Six Year Plan, the Two Year Plan and the 
Ten Year Plan, must continue unabated and unimpaired.  Nay with 
every passing day it must gather momentum.  Every individual believer 
must, henceforth, encouraged and inspired by all that has already been 
achieved, contribute to its future and speedy unfoldment.  
     "That the entire community may befittingly respond to the call of the 
present hour and bring to a final consummation the Mission with which 
it has been entrusted is the deepest yearning of my heart and the object of 
my unceasing prayers."  
                                                                   Shoghi 
 
+P1 
                             THE SEEDS ARE TENDED 
                                   1922-1944 
 
+P2 
 
+P3 
5 March 1922+F1  
 
Dear Fellow-workers in the Cause of &Baha'u'llah, 
     It is with words of regret and disappointment that I desire to open 
this letter because of my inability, in view of my manifold and pressing 
duties, to respond individually and in writing to the many messages of 
love and sympathy and of hope that you have so affectionately sent me 
since our Beloved's passing from this World.  I am sure I am voicing 
the sentiments of the bereaved ladies of the Household when I say that 
however desirous we may be to correspond separately with every one 
of you, the grave responsibilities and manifold duties now devolved 
upon us make it regrettably impossible to express in written messages 
to every friend what we constantly feel in our hearts, and pray for 
when visiting His sacred Shrine.  
     At this grave and momentous period through which the Cause of 
God in conformity with the Divine Wisdom is passing, it is the sacred 
duty of every one of us to endeavour to realise the full significance of 
this Hour of Transition, and then to make a supreme resolve to arise 
steadfastly for the fulfilment of our sacred obligations.  
     Great as is the love and paternal care which our beloved Master is 
extending to us from on High, and unique as is the Spirit that 
animates today His servants in the world, yet a great deal will depend 
upon the character and efforts of His loved ones on whom now rests the 
responsibility of carrying on His work gloriously after Him.  How 
great is the need at this moment when the promised outpourings of His 
grace are ready to be extended to every soul, for us all to form a broad 
vision of the mission of the Cause to mankind, and to do all in our 
power to spread it throughout the world.  The eyes of the world, now 
that the sublime Personality of the Master has been removed from this 
visible plane, are turned with eager anticipation to us who are named 
after His name, and on whom rests primarily the responsibility to keep 
burning the torch that He has lit in this world.  How keenly I feel at 
this challenging hour in the history of the Cause the need for a firm 
and definite determination to subordinate all our personal likings, our 
local interests, to the interests and requirements of the Cause of God!  
Now is the time to set aside, nay, to forget altogether, minor 
considerations regarding our internal relationships, and to present a 
solid united front to the world animated by no other desire but to serve 
and propagate His Cause.  
 
+F1 Printed also in "&Baha'i Administration".  (See para. 3, page xvii.)  
 
+P4 
     It is my firm conviction which I now express with all sincerity and 
candour, that the dignity and unity of the Cause urgently demands--
particularly throughout the American continent--that the friends 
should in their words and conduct emphasise and give absolute 
prominence to the constructive dynamic principles of &Baha'u'llah, 
rather than attach undue importance to His negative Teachings.  With 
hearts cleansed from the least trace of suspicion and filled with hope 
and faith in what the spirit of love can achieve, we must one and all 
endeavour at this moment to forget past impressions, and with absolute 
goodwill and genuine co-operation unite in deepening and diffusing 
the spirit of love and service that the Cause has thus far so remarkably 
shown to the world.  To this attitude of goodwill, of forebearance and 
genuine kindness to all, must be added, however, constant but 
unprovocative vigilance, lest unrestricted association with the peoples 
of the world should enable the very few who have been definitely 
pronounced by the Master as injurious to the body of the Cause, to 
make a breach in the Movement.  Not until, however, an unmistakable 
evidence should appear, manifestly revealing the evil motives of a 
certain individual or groups of individuals, is it advisable to make the 
matter public; for an untimely declaration that shall give rise to open 
differences among the friends is far more detrimental than forbearing 
still further with those who are suspected of evil intentions.  As the 
Master so fully and consistently did throughout His lifetime, we must 
all make a supreme effort to pour out a genuine spirit of kindness and 
hopeful love to peoples of various creeds and classes, and must abstain 
from all provocative language that may impede the effect of what true 
and continued kindness can produce.  
     Does not &Abdu'l-Baha wish us, as He looks down upon us with 
loving expectation from His glorious Station, to obliterate as much as 
possible all traces of censure, of conflicting discussions, of cooling 
remarks, of petty unnecessary observations that impede the onward 
march of the Cause, that damp the zeal of the firm believer and detract 
from the sublimity of the &Baha'i Cause in the eyes of the inquirer?  In 
order, however, to insure fair and quick and vigorous action whenever 
such an evil activity is revealed and has been carefully ascertained, the 
best and only means would appear to be, for the careful observer, once 
he is assured of such an evil action, and has grown hopeless of the 
attitude of kindness and forbearance, to report it quietly to the Spiritual 
Assembly representative of the friends in that locality and submit the 
case to their earnest and full consideration.  Should the majority of the 
 
+P5 
members of that Assembly be conscientiously convinced of the case--
and this being a national issue affecting the body of the friends in 
America--it should, only through the intermediary of that Assembly, 
be cautiously communicated to that greater body representing all the 
Assemblies in America, which will in its turn obtain all the available 
data from the local Assembly in question, study carefully the situation 
and reserve for itself the ultimate decision.  It may, if it decides so, refer 
to the Holy Land for further consideration and consultation.  
     This clearly places heavy responsibilities on the local as well as 
national Assemblies, which in the course of time will evolve, with the 
Master's power and guidance, into the local and national Houses of 
Justice.  Hence the vital necessity of having a local Spiritual Assembly 
in every locality where the number of adult declared believers exceeds 
nine, and of making provision for the indirect election of a Body that 
shall adequately represent the interests of all the friends and Assemblies 
throughout the American Continent.  
     A perusal of some of the words of &Baha'u'llah and &Abdu'l-Baha on 
the duties and functions of the Spiritual Assemblies in every land 
(later to be designated as the local Houses of Justice), emphatically 
reveals the sacredness of their nature, the wide scope of their activity, 
and the grave responsibility which rests upon them.  
     Addressing the members of the Spiritual Assembly in Chicago, the 
Master reveals the following:--"Whenever ye enter the council-chamber, 
recite this prayer with a heart throbbing with the love of God 
and a tongue purified from all but His remembrance, that the All-powerful 
may graciously aid you to achieve supreme victory:--`O 
God, my God!  We are servants of Thine that have turned with 
devotion to Thy Holy Face, that have detached ourselves from all 
beside Thee in this glorious Day.  We have gathered in this spiritual 
assembly, united in our views and thoughts, with our purposes 
harmonised to exalt Thy Word amidst mankind.  O Lord, our God!  
Make us the signs of Thy Divine Guidance, the Standards of Thy 
exalted Faith amongst men, servants to Thy mighty Covenant.  O 
Thou our Lord Most High!  Manifestations of Thy Divine Unity in 
Thine &Abha Kingdom, and resplendent stars shining upon all regions.  
Lord!  Aid us to become seas surging with the billows of Thy wondrous 
Grace, streams flowing from Thy all-glorious Heights, goodly fruits 
upon the Tree of Thy heavenly Cause, trees waving through the 
breezes of Thy Bounty in Thy celestial Vineyard.  O God!  Make our 
souls dependent upon the Verses of Thy Divine Unity, our hearts 
 
+P6 
cheered with the outpourings of Thy Grace, that we may unite even 
as the waves of one sea and become merged together as the rays of 
Thine effulgent Light; that our thoughts, our views, our feelings may 
become as one reality, manifesting the spirit of union throughout the 
world.  Thou art the Gracious, the Bountiful, the Bestower, the 
Almighty, the Merciful, the Compassionate.'"  
     In the Most Holy Book is revealed:--"The Lord hath ordained 
that in every city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather 
counsellors to the number of &Baha, and should it exceed this number 
it does not matter.  It behoveth them to be the trusted ones of the 
Merciful among men and to regard themselves as the guardians 
appointed of God for all that dwell on earth.  It is incumbent upon 
them to take counsel together and to have regard for the interests of the 
servants of God, for His sake, even as they regard their own interests, 
and to choose that which is meet and seemly.  Thus hath the Lord your 
God commanded you.  Beware lest ye put away that which is clearly 
revealed in His Tablet.  Fear God, O ye that perceive."  
     Furthermore, &Abdu'l-Baha reveals the following:--"It is 
incumbent upon every one not to take any step without consulting the 
Spiritual Assembly, and they must assuredly obey with heart and soul 
its bidding and be submissive unto it, that things may be properly 
ordered and well arranged.  Otherwise every person will act 
independently and after his own judgment, will follow his own desire, 
and do harm to the Cause."  
     "The prime requisites for them that take counsel together are purity 
of motive, radiance of spirit, detachment from all else save God, 
attraction to His Divine Fragrances, humility and lowliness amongst 
His loved ones, patience and long-suffering in difficulties and servitude 
to His exalted Threshold.  Should they be graciously aided to acquire 
these attributes, victory from the unseen Kingdom of &Baha shall be 
vouchsafed to them.  In this day, assemblies of consultation are of the 
greatest importance and a vital necessity.  Obedience unto them is 
essential and obligatory.  The members thereof must take counsel 
together in such wise that no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may 
arise.  This can be attained when every member expresseth with 
absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his argument.  
Should any one oppose, he must on no account feel hurt for not until 
matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed.  The shining 
spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.  
If after discussion, a decision be carried unanimously well and good; 
 
+P7 
but if, the Lord forbid, differences of opinion should arise, a majority 
of voices must prevail."  
     Enumerating the obligations incumbent upon the members of 
consulting councils, the Beloved reveals the following:--"The first 
condition is absolute love and harmony amongst the members of the 
assembly.  They must be wholly free from estrangement and must 
manifest in themselves the Unity of God, for they are the waves of one 
sea, the drops of one river, the stars of one heaven, the rays of one sun, 
the trees of one orchard, the flowers of one garden.  Should harmony of 
thought and absolute unity be non-existent, that gathering shall be 
dispersed and that assembly be brought to naught.  The second 
condition:--They must when coming together turn their faces to the 
Kingdom on High and ask aid from the Realm of Glory.  They must 
then proceed with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity, care and 
moderation to express their views.  They must in every matter search 
out the truth and not insist upon their own opinion, for stubbornness 
and persistence in one's views will lead ultimately to discord and 
wrangling and the truth will remain hidden.  The honoured members 
must with all freedom express their own thoughts, and it is in no wise 
permissible for one to belittle the thought of another, nay, he must with 
moderation set forth the truth, and should differences of opinion arise 
a majority of voices must prevail, and all must obey and submit to the 
majority.  It is again not permitted that any one of the honoured 
members object to or censure, whether in or out of the meeting, any 
decision arrived at previously, though that decision be not right, for 
such criticism would prevent any decision from being enforced.  In 
short, whatsoever thing is arranged in harmony and with love and 
purity of motive, its result is light, and should the least trace of 
estrangement prevail the result shall be darkness upon darkness....  If 
this be so regarded, that Assembly shall be of God, but otherwise it 
shall lead to coolness and alienation that proceed from the Evil One.  
Discussions must all be confined to spiritual matters that pertain to the 
training of souls, the instruction of children, the relief of the poor, the 
help of the feeble throughout all classes in the world, kindness to all 
peoples, the diffusion of the fragrances of God and the exaltation of 
His Holy Word.  Should they endeavour to fulfil these conditions the 
Grace of the Holy Spirit shall be vouchsafed unto them, and that 
assembly shall become the centre of the Divine blessings, the hosts of 
Divine confirmation shall come to their aid, and they shall day by day 
receive a new effusion of Spirit."  
 
+P8 
     So great is the importance and so supreme is the authority of these 
assemblies that once &Abdu'l-Baha after having Himself and in His 
own handwriting corrected the translation made into Arabic of the 
&Ishraqat (the Effulgences) by &Shaykh Faraj, a Kurdish friend from 
Cairo, directed him in a Tablet to submit the above-named translation 
to the Spiritual Assembly of Cairo, that he may seek from them before 
publication their approval and consent.  These are His very words in 
that Tablet:--"His honour, &Shaykh &Faraju'llah, has here rendered 
into Arabic with greatest care the &Ishraqat and yet I have told him that 
he must submit his version to the Spiritual Assembly of Egypt, and I 
have conditioned its publication upon the approval of the above-named 
Assembly.  This is so that things may be arranged in an orderly 
manner, for should it not be so any one may translate a certain Tablet 
and print and circulate it on his own account.  Even a non-believer 
might undertake such work, and thus cause confusion and disorder.  If 
it be conditioned, however, upon the approval of the Spiritual 
Assembly, a translation prepared, printed and circulated by a non-believer 
will have no recognition whatever."  
     This is indeed a clear indication of the Master's express desire that 
nothing whatever should be given to the public by any individual 
among the friends, unless fully considered and approved by the 
Spiritual Assembly in his locality; and if this (as is undoubtedly the 
case) is a matter that pertains to the general interest of the Cause in 
that land, then it is incumbent upon the Spiritual Assembly to submit 
it to the consideration and approval of the national body representing 
all the various local assemblies.  Not only with regard to publication, 
but all matters without any exception whatsoever, regarding the 
interests of the Cause in that locality, individually or collectively, 
should be referred exclusively to the Spiritual Assembly in that 
locality, which shall decide upon it, unless it be a matter of national 
interest, in which case it shall be referred to the national body.  With 
this national body also will rest the decision whether a given question 
is of local or national interest.  (By national affairs is not meant matters 
that are political in their character, for the friends of God the world 
over are strictly forbidden to meddle with political affairs in any way 
whatever, but rather things that affect the spiritual activities of the 
body of the friends in that land).  
     Full harmony, however, as well as co-operation among the various 
local assemblies and the members themselves, and particularly between 
each assembly and the national body, is of the utmost importance, for 
upon it depends the unity of the Cause of God, the solidarity of the 
 
+P9 
friends, the full, speedy and efficient working of the spiritual activities 
of His loved ones.  
     Large issues in such spiritual activities that affect the Cause in 
general in that land, such as the management of the "Star of the West" 
and any periodical which the National Body may decide to be a &Baha'i 
organ, the matter of publication, or reprinting &Baha'i literature and its 
distribution among the various assemblies, the means whereby the 
teaching campaign may be stimulated and maintained, the work of 
the &Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, the racial question in relation to the Cause, 
the matter of receiving Orientals and associating with them, the care 
and maintenance of the precious film exhibiting a phase of the Master's 
sojourn in the United States of America as well as the original matrix 
and the records of His voice, and various other national spiritual 
activities, far from being under the exclusive jurisdiction of any local 
assembly or group of friends, must each be minutely and fully directed 
by a special board, elected by the National Body, constituted as a 
committee thereof, responsible to it and upon which the National Body 
shall exercise constant and general supervision.  
     The time is indeed ripe for the manifold activities, wherein the 
servants and handmaidens of &Baha'u'llah are so devoutly and earnestly 
engaged, to be harmonised and conducted with unity, co-operation and 
efficiency, that the effect of such a combined and systematised effort, 
through which an All-powerful Spirit is steadily pouring, may 
transcend every other achievement of the past, however glorious it has 
been, and may stand, now that, to the eyes of the outside world the 
glorious Person of the Master is no more, a convincing testimony of 
the potency of His everliving Spirit.  
                                    Your brother and co-worker in His Cause, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
16 December 1922 
 
To my spiritual brethren and sisters in Great Britain.  
Care of the members of the Spiritual Council.+F1  
 
My dearest brethren and sisters in the faith of God!  
     May I at the very outset of this, my very first letter to you, convey 
 
+F1 Dr. Esselmont+ and E. T. Hall+ were "chosen" to represent Bournemouth 
+F1 and Manchester respectively and they met with seven others representing  
+F1 "The London Groups" to form the first "All-England &Baha'i Council" which 
+F1 met at the London home of Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper+ 6 June, 1922.  Mr. G. 
+F1 P. Simpson+ was elected Chairman.  
 
+P10 
to your hearts in words, however inadequate but assuredly deeply felt 
and sincere, a measure of my burning impatience, during my days of 
retirement, to return speedily and join hands with you in the great 
work of consolidation that awaits every earnest believer in the Cause 
of &Baha'u'llah.  
     Now that happily I feel myself restored to a position where I can 
take up with continuity and vigour the threads of my manifold duties, 
the bitterness of every disappointment felt, time and again, in the 
course of the past weary months at my feeling of unpreparedness, have 
been merged in the sweetness of the present hour, when I realise that 
spiritually and bodily I am better equipped to shoulder the responsibilities 
of the Cause.  The thought, so often comforting and 
sustaining, that in the counsels of my British co-workers of that land, 
I shall find spontaneous and undiminished support as well as wise and 
experienced assistance, is surely one of those forces which will hearten 
me in the midst of my future labours for the Cause.  
     That in every one of you our departed Master reposed His future 
and truest hopes for an able and convincing presentation of the Cause 
to the outside world, is abundantly revealed in His spoken and written 
words to you, as well as in His general references to the spirit of 
sincerity, of tenacity and devotion that animates His friends of that 
land.  
     The fierce tests that have raged over that island in the past; the calm 
and determination with which they have been so bravely faced and 
surmounted; the seeds of loving fellowship that the Beloved in person 
has more than once scattered in its soil; the rise, as its result, of a few 
but indeed capable, reliable, devoted and experienced followers and 
admirers of the Cause; the splendid and in many instances unique 
opportunities that are yours--these indeed are cherished thoughts for 
a land that illumines its past and should cheer its future.  
     I need hardly tell you how grateful and gratified I felt when I heard 
the news of the actual formation of a National Council whose main 
object is to guide, co-ordinate and harmonise the various activities of 
the friends, and when I learned of its satisfactory composition, its 
harmonious procedure and the splendid work it is achieving.  
     My earnest prayer is that the blessing of the Almighty may rest 
upon all its deliberations, that it may be divinely guided, inspired in 
its work, may smooth speedily and definitely all differences that may 
arise, may promote the all-important work of Teaching, may widen 
the sphere of its correspondence and exchange of news with the distant 
 
+P11 
parts of the &Baha'i world, may secure through its publications a 
dignified and proper presentation of the Cause to the enlightened 
public, and may in every other respect prove itself capable of distinct 
and worthy achievements.  
     With abiding affection and renewed vigour I shall now await the 
joyful tidings of the progress of the Cause and the extension of your 
activities, and will spare no effort in sharing with the faithful, here and 
in other lands, the welcome news of the progressive march of the Cause 
and the unceasing labours of our British friends for the Cause of 
&Baha'u'llah.  
                                                            Your brother, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
23 December 1922 
 
To my beloved brethren and sisters throughout Great Britain.  
Care of the members of the &Baha'i Council.  
 
Dearest Friends, 
     I have during the last few days been waiting eagerly for the first 
written messages of my Western friends, sent to me since they have 
learned of my return to the Holy Land.  How great was the joy when 
dear Miss Rosenberg's+ letter--the very first that reached me from the 
West--was handed to me this evening, bearing the joyful news of 
the safety, the unity and the happiness of my British friends across the 
seas!  I read it and re-read it with particular pleasure and felt a thrill 
of delight at the welcome news of the harmonious and efficient 
functioning of your Spiritual Assembly.  
     I very sincerely hope that now that I have fully re-entered upon my 
task, I may be enabled to offer my humble share of assistance and 
advice in the all-important work which is now before you.  I fervently 
pray to God that the field of your activities may go on expanding, that 
your zeal and efforts may never diminish, and that new souls, active, 
able and sincere, may soon join with you in bearing aloft the Glorious 
Standard of the Cause in that land....  
     Ere long, an able and experienced teacher recently arrived from 
Persia will visit your shores and will, I trust, by his thorough 
 
+P12 
knowledge of the Cause, his wide experience, his fluency, his ardour 
and his devotion, reanimate every drooping spirit and inspire the 
active worker to make fresh and determined efforts for the deepening 
as well as the spreading of the Movement in those regions.  His 
forthcoming book, which he has patiently and laboriously written on 
the history of the Movement and which has been partly revised by the 
Pen of our Beloved Master is beyond any doubt the most graphic, the 
most reliable and comprehensive of its kind in all &Baha'i literature.  I 
am sure he will considerably enrich the store of your knowledge of the 
various phases and stages of the &Baha'i Movement.  Our beloved Dr. 
Esslemont will, I trust, be particularly pleased to meet him, as he is 
eminently qualified to offer him valuable help in connection with 
various aspects of his (Dr. Esslemont's) book.  I am enclosing various 
suggestions of Mr. Dreyfus-Barney and of Mr. Roy Wilhelm made 
by them at my request, during their last sojourn in the Holy Land.  I 
submit them to Dr. Esslemont's consideration as well as to that of the 
Spiritual Assembly.  I very deeply regret my inability to give the 
attention I desire to this admirable work of his, but will assuredly do 
all in my power to aid him in the final stages of his work.  I am certain 
however that the book as it now stands gives the finest and most 
effective presentation of the various aspects of the Cause to the mind 
of the Oriental as well as to that of the Westerner.  May it arouse a 
genuine and widespread interest in the Cause throughout the world.  
     I am now starting correspondence with every &Baha'i local centre 
throughout the East and will not fail to instruct and urge the believers 
everywhere to send directly through their respective spiritual local 
Assemblies the joyful tidings of the progress of the Cause, in the form 
of regular detailed reports, to the various assemblies of their spiritual 
brethren and sisters in the West.  England, I am confident, will 
regularly and consistently receive, directly, and indirectly through the 
"Star of the West" and the "&Baha'i News" of India, a large share of 
such tidings from Persia, Caucasus, Turkestan, India, Turkey and 
Mesopotamia, North Africa and Egypt.  It would be most gratifying 
and encouraging to all earnest workers for the Cause of &Baha'u'llah if 
every now and then a report on the spiritual activities of the friends in 
Great Britain, as well as articles on spiritual matters, would be 
submitted for publication to the above-mentioned periodicals.  It would, 
I feel very strongly, react very favourably on the Cause in England, 
and would serve to draw closer the ties that bind all spiritual centres 
together at the present time.  
 
+P13 
     I would be pleased and grateful if the members of the Spiritual 
Assembly would at any time inform me of their needs, wants and 
desires, their plans and activities, that I may through my prayers and 
brotherly assistance contribute, however meagrely, to the success of 
their glorious mission in this world.  
     To my extreme regret, I feel unable in view of my manifold and 
pressing duties, and owing to the extraordinary extension of the 
Movement in recent times, to correspond with the friends individually 
and express to them in writing what I always feel in the depth of my 
heart of brotherly affection and abiding gratitude for their love and 
sympathy for me.  I shall, however, await with eager expectation their 
individual letters and assure them of my readiness and wish to be of 
any service to them in their work for the Cause.  
     Remembering every one of you in these hallowed surroundings and 
fervently praying at the three sacred Thresholds that the blessings of 
the Lord may rest upon your individual and collective efforts, 
                                    I am as ever your devoted brother, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
17 February 1923 
 
The beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout 
London, Manchester and Bournemouth.  
Care of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.+F1  
 
Dearest brethren and sisters in &Abdu'l-Baha, 
     The letters that I have recently received from the friends in London 
and Manchester have been to me a source of great hope and 
encouragement, and have served to strengthen the ties that bind me to 
my dearly-beloved friends in that great country.  
     I am much pleased and gratified to hear of the wonderful progress 
of the work of our able and devoted brother, &Jinab-i-'Avarih, and my 
earnest hope and prayer is that he may, by his zeal, patience, 
experience and knowledge, set ablaze the fire that the Master has 
kindled in the heart of that land.  
     The supreme necessity, and the urgent need of the Cause of God at 
present, is the unity of the friends, and their sustained and wholehearted 
 
+F1 The first meeting of the elected "National Spiritual Assembly" took place 
+F1 in London on 13 October 1923.  
 
+P14 
co-operation in their task of spreading the Divine Teachings 
throughout the world.  It is the sacred duty of all believers to have 
implicit confidence in, and support heartily, every decision passed by 
their Spiritual Assemblies, whether local or central; and the members 
of these Assemblies must, on their part, set aside their own inclinations, 
personal interests, likes and dislikes, and regard only the welfare of the 
Cause and the well-being of the friends.  This is surely the foundation 
which must be firmly laid in the hearts of all believers the world over, 
for upon this only can any constructive and permanent service be 
achieved, and the edifice of the Beloved's last instructions, as revealed 
in His Will and Testament, be raised and established.  
     The all-conquering Spirit of &Baha'u'llah cannot prove effective in 
this world of strife and turmoil, and cannot achieve its purpose for 
mankind, unless we, who are named after His Name, and who are the 
recipients of His Grace, endeavour, by our example, our daily life and 
our dealings with our fellow-men, to reveal that noble spirit of love and 
self-sacrifice of which the world stands in need at present.  
     I have been reading lately some of the oldest Tablets of &Abdu'l-Baha 
and am enclosing for your perusal the translation of various 
selections from His soul-stirring words, revealed some twenty-five 
years ago, during the darkest days of His incarceration in the prison 
city of &Akka.  You will realise as you read them the unshakable 
confidence of the Master in the future growth of the Movement, the 
significance of the Cause in this age, and the glorious privilege of the 
friends to labour for its spread in every land.  
     I am enclosing also my revised translation of the Hidden Words, 
both Persian and Arabic, a copy of which I have sent to the friends in 
the United States in response to their cable, requesting me to authorise 
circulation of my version among the friends in America.  
     I have recently received a message from our beloved brethren and 
sisters in Germany, who, in the midst of their sufferings and trials, 
yearn to receive a word of sympathy and comfort from their fellow-workers 
in France and England.  I am sure you will gladly respond to 
their request, and cheer them with the glad-tidings of the wonderful 
progress of the Cause in your land and elsewhere.  
     I am always looking forward to receiving your letters and hear from 
you personally in all matters pertaining to the Cause.  It is my earnest 
prayer whenever I visit the Sacred Shrines, that the friends in England 
may be always protected, guided and blessed in their work of service to 
the Cause, and may soon witness the fulfilment of the glorious promises 
 
+P15 
of the Master regarding the future of that land and the spiritual re-awakening 
of its people.  
                                    Your brother and fellow-worker, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
24 February 1923 
 
Dear Spiritual Brother, 
     Your letter to Shoghi Effendi has been received and was read 
by him with keen delight and satisfaction for it bespoke of the 
new spirit of ardent devotion that has enkindled the hearts of the 
faithful followers of &Baha, and of their loyal and active 
endeavours in the path of service.  Should the friends continue 
in their labours of love and service their activities will yield 
glorious results and they shall witness the realisation of the 
promises of the Beloved regarding the spiritual achievements of 
the friends in that land.  
     Shoghi Effendi is highly gratified and encouraged to know 
that the friends have carried out so efficiently his directions 
regarding the establishment of National and local Spiritual 
Assemblies; and he feels confident that the co-ordinated and 
unified efforts of its members, blessed by the unfailing assistance 
and guidance of the Beloved Master, will mark the dawn of a 
new era of spiritual activity and enlightenment.  
     He is very pleased to know that you are faithfully working 
for peace and harmony amongst the friends; and he prays that 
you may be blessed in your endeavours and be inspired and 
guided to clear all misunderstandings that may arise; and may 
help bring about that spirit of unity which is so essential to the 
life and growth of the Cause.  There is no doubt that difficulties 
will always arise; but if met in the spirit of earnest and selfless 
devotion and purity of motive all problems will be solved and 
we shall emerge from every difficulty spiritually stronger and 
wiser.  
     Shoghi Effendi wishes to extend to you his thanks for your 
giving him the report of the activities of the friends there.  He 
will soon write a letter to the Assembly based on their report.  He 
wishes you to rest assured that his thoughts and prayers are with 
you wishing you all success in your labours for the promulgation 
of the Blessed Cause.  
 
+P16 
     Although unable to write individual letters he will gladly 
welcome all letters that you will send him in the future...  
 
 
29 November 1923 
 
To the members of the English National Spiritual Assembly 
 
My dearly-beloved fellow-workers in the Vineyard of God!  
     I am in receipt of your letter dated Nov. 17th 1923, and forwarded 
to me by our active and devoted brother, Mr. Simpson.  I have read it 
with the utmost pleasure and satisfaction.  I feel happy and encouraged 
to learn that those few, yet earnest and promising, servants of 
&Baha'u'llah in that land are, despite the vicissitudes and obstacles that 
confront the rapid rise of the Movement, wholeheartedly striving and 
co-operating for the fulfilment of His divine Promise.  
     You, surely, have laid a firm foundation for the future development 
of the Cause in those regions, and my hope is that the National 
Assembly of Great Britain may, by full, frequent, and anxious 
consultation, protect the Cause, maintain and promote harmony 
amongst the friends, and initiate and execute ways and means for the 
diffusion of its spirit and the promotion of its principles.  
     I welcome with keen and genuine satisfaction the active participation 
of our beloved sister, Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper, in the affairs of the 
Cause, and feel confident that her wisdom, her experience, her 
influence, and her unparalleled opportunities for the service of the 
Movement will pave the way for the wholesome growth of the Cause 
in that land.  
     I am sure you all realise the seemingly unsurmountable difficulties 
in the way of individual correspondence with the ever-increasing 
multitude of &Baha'is throughout the world, and I need hardly tell you 
how tremendously difficult it is, and how reluctant I feel, to 
discriminate at all between the many letters of varying importance 
which I daily receive from almost every corner of the globe.  Realising 
however that direct and intimate individual correspondence, in some 
form or other, is most urgent and vital to the interests of the Cause, I 
am, I assure you, giving it these days again my careful and undivided 
attention, and pray God that to this problem may soon be found a 
satisfactory and feasible solution.  In the meantime, I wish to emphasise 
the fact that I eagerly await, and would welcome, and would assuredly 
have time to peruse, most carefully and in person, every individual 
 
+P17 
letter you may wish to send me, and my readiness and wish to attend, 
in the very best way I can, to every matter raised in those letters.  No 
written message, however unimportant, will first be opened and read 
by any one save myself.  
     Regarding the proposed conference on "Living Religions within the 
British Empire", I feel that such a great opportunity for the Movement 
should not be neglected, and I am glad to know that it has been seized 
by the members of the National Assembly, and is being closely 
examined by them.  I would welcome further particulars as to who has 
conceived the idea, under whose auspices it will be conducted, and 
whether it is being supported by government authorities, and what 
conditions are imposed on its proceedings.  I am discussing the matter 
with some of the &Baha'i representatives of India and America as to 
what friends would be most competent to represent the Cause at this 
conference.  I shall communicate on this subject with the National 
Assemblies of India and America, and will inform you immediately 
I receive definite information from them.  
     As to the raising of funds to provide for the expenses of the &Baha'i 
representatives, I am sure the friends in England will find in the 
National Assemblies of India and America and in myself ready and 
generous supporters of a step that will undoubtedly prove of immediate 
and universal value for the ultimate recognition of the Cause by the 
world.  
     It is my ardent prayer that we may all be inspired to adopt the most 
effective measures for the successful achievement of this great 
undertaking.  
     I was much impressed by the charm and force of Major Moore's 
article, published recently in T. P. Cassell's weekly, and I would much 
desire to know whether his action was spontaneous, or whether he was 
urged or requested by someone to write it.  I strongly urge the friends, 
and particularly the members of the National Assembly, to do all in 
their power to make of this able and highly-minded admirer of the 
Cause, a zealous and true &Baha'i.  I am looking forward with keen 
anticipation to his spiritual development and his taking a more active 
part in the affairs of the Cause.  
     I am enclosing for the friends recent translations of the wonderful 
prophetic utterances of &Baha'u'llah, and I trust you will find them of 
great value in your work of teaching and spreading the Cause.  
     Awaiting eagerly your letters, individually as well as collectively, 
                                    I am your brother, 
                                                          Shoghi 
 
+P18 
9 December 1923 
 
My dear Mr. Simpson, 
     Your short yet encouraging letter was gladly received by our 
dear Shoghi Effendi just yesterday evening.  He felt very pleased 
indeed with that spirit of hopefulness which your letter 
conveyed, and he eagerly hopes that in the days to come nothing 
will mar the brightness and optimism of his English brethren 
and sisters over in the West.  
     Your references to the commemoration meeting held in 
London, brought back with all its painful sadness recollections 
of that one night.  In a calm and quiet night, brightened by the 
silvery rays of the moon, gathered &Abdu'l-Baha's sorrow-stricken 
faithful ones, to commemorate the night of His last 
farewell.  On the cistern by the Tomb sat His fervent servants; 
below them flickered the dying lights of Haifa, and above head 
shown in full magnificence the star bespangled heavens.  It was 
in the mid-watches of such a night that with sorrow and fervour 
the servants turned unto their dear Master so near and yet so far 
away; and with a deep feeling of that bitter loss they supplicated 
help and guidance from their Lord.  A word or two from Shoghi 
Effendi made them feel the Master nigh, and made them realise 
as never before that it was only in following in His steps, and in 
living the life that He had, that we can prove our faithfulness to 
our Master's Cause.  It was indeed a night of meditation and 
prayer and we missed you all so much.  
     We are receiving encouraging news from almost everywhere, 
such as Italy, Germany, China and Australia; and as you will 
have them more fully in the circulars of the Spiritual Assembly, 
I had hardly need make mention of them here.  
     Shoghi Effendi's earnest hopes in England are very great, and 
I am sure that the sincere and true-hearted efforts of his fellow-workers, 
will spread the principles of this great Revelation as 
never before.  Hard though it be to get access to the more 
intellectual circles in England, he firmly believes that through 
persistence, the obstacles will be soon overcome and they, with 
their own accord, will welcome you in their midst, turning a 
sympathetic ear to all that you have to share with them.  May 
these high hopes be realised....  
 
+P19 
          [From the Guardian:] 
My beloved brother, 
     My deepest admiration for your indefatigable exertions for the 
success of the Cause.  I will always remember you in my prayers and 
await eagerly your personal letters.  I welcome any suggestions and 
further particulars regarding the conference on the Living Religions 
within the British Empire.  
                                    Your brother, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
6 January 1924 
 
Dear &Baha'i Brother, 
     Your letter of Dec. 23rd furnishing necessary information 
concerning the Conference on Religions arrived and made our 
dear Guardian highly pleased and delighted.  
     As he has quite recently written to the friends in England, he 
has instructed me to answer your letter and inform you that he 
has written and directed the National Spiritual Assembly of 
America to have a comprehensive article written by the ablest 
pen among the American friends--to be excellent both in style 
and in representation.  
     After this essay is written, it will be sent to our dear Shoghi 
Effendi who will send it to your N.S. Assembly for your perusal 
and consideration.  You will add your remarks and suggestions 
and return it to him for final approval.  
     Shoghi Effendi is also thinking of selecting someone among 
the Indian friends to represent India.  This Conference and a 
worthy and dignified representation of the Holy Cause therein, 
are under his serious consideration.  We hope that through his 
wise instruction and powerful prayers your activities in this 
respect will be crowned with glorious success and that it will be 
known to the public that the Cause is not a movement collateral 
with other movements such as the Brahma Somaj or &Ahmadi 
movements.  
     Here at the Holy Shrine of our Beloved we remember all the 
dear friends in England and supplicate humbly for their 
happiness.  
     Shoghi Effendi is sending you his love and affection together 
 
+P20 
with his deep appreciation towards your noble labours and 
sacrificial efforts in the service of the Holy Cause...  

          [From the Guardian:] 
My dear friend, 
     I enclose a copy of my recent letter to the National Spiritual 
Assembly of America regarding the Conference as well as copies of my 
recent translation of some of the most remarkable and prophetic 
utterances of &Baha'u'llah and &Abdu'l-Baha which might interest the 
friends in Great Britain.  Pray convey my love to all of them.  
                                                            Shoghi 
 
4 January 1924 (Enclosure)  
 
To the members of the American National Spiritual Assembly.  
 
My dearest friends!  
     On Nov. 28th I received the following communication from the 
President of the National Spiritual Assembly of Great Britain!  
     "I have now to bring to your notice, though possibly you are 
already aware of it, a matter which is of the first importance in 
the opinion of the National Spiritual Assembly as you will see 
from one of the paragraphs of the enclosed minutes of its first 
meeting, which was held on October 13th.  So far the programme 
of the conference on the `Living Religions within the British 
Empire' is in a somewhat nebulous condition, but I have 
ascertained from Miss Sharples, the honorary secretary of the 
committee of organisation, that the conference has been approved 
by the authorities of the British Empire Exhibition, 1924 and 
will last for ten days, covering the last week of the month of 
September and the first three days of October.  It is proposed that 
all religions taught and practised throughout the British Empire 
shall be represented at the conference, including the Christians, 
Muhammadans, Buddhists, Brahma Somaj, Theosophists and 
others, and that each one in turn shall have at its disposal a day 
or part of a day for a meeting to expound its principles and deal 
with its organisation and objects."  
     In their last letter, the members of the National Spiritual Assembly 
of Great Britain further inform me that the idea of the above-mentioned 
conference has originated with the Theosophical Society, 
 
+P21 
but these having later dropped its management the organisation of the 
conference passed into the hands of the School of Oriental Studies and 
the Sociological Society.  You will also note from the enclosed copy of 
a letter addressed by the same Miss Sharples to the President of the 
British National Spiritual Assembly that the time offered to the 
&Baha'i representatives will be very limited, and that most probably 
the allotted time will be just sufficient to read their papers or deliver 
their address and engage in the discussion that might arise after their 
formal presentation of the Cause.  
     As the British Empire Exhibition, of which this conference forms 
a part, is itself a semi-official undertaking, and receives actually the 
generous support and active participation of the government authorities 
throughout the British Empire, I feel that the opportunities now 
offered to the &Baha'i world should not be missed, as this chance, if 
properly utilised, might arouse and stimulate widespread interest 
among the enlightened public.  
     As so much will depend upon the nature and general presentation 
of the theme, rather than upon the personality of the reader or speaker, 
I feel that first and foremost our attention should be concentrated on the 
choice and thorough preparation of the subject matter as well as on the 
proper drafting and the form of the paper itself, which might possibly 
have to be submitted afterwards to the authorities of the conference.  
     I feel the necessity of entrusting this highly important and delicate 
task to a special committee, to be appointed most carefully by the 
National Spiritual Assembly of America, and consisting of those who 
by their knowledge of the Cause, their experience in matters of 
publicity, and particularly by their power of expression and beauty of 
style will be qualified to produce a befitting statement on the unique 
history of the Movement as well as its lofty principles.  
     I am enclosing an article on the &Baha'i Movement which I trust 
might serve as a basis and example of the paper in question.  An 
account of the most salient features of the history of the Cause, a brief 
but impressive reference to its many heroes and martyrs, a convincing 
and comprehensive presentation of the basic principles, and a 
characteristic survey of the Master's life, as well as a short but graphic 
description of the present position and influence of the Movement both 
in the East and the West, should, in my opinion, be included and 
combined into one conclusive argument.  Its length should not surpass 
that of the enclosed article, and its general tone, expression and 
language should be at once dignified, sober and forceful.  
 
+P22 
     The greatest care and caution must be exercised in choosing those 
who can best provide and fulfil the above-mentioned requisites and 
conditions.  
     I shall be most pleased to offer my views and suggestions once the 
paper has assumed its final shape, and wish you to obtain the assistance 
and advice of those whom you think able to judge amongst the friends 
in England and elsewhere.  
     Mr. Simpson, the President of the British National Spiritual 
Assembly, writes that Miss Grand from Canada has suggested the 
names of Dr. Watson and Mr. J. O. McCarthy of Toronto to 
represent the Canadian &Baha'is.  I would be pleased to receive your 
views as to who should represent Canada at the Conference.  India is 
the only other country within the British Empire that can send a 
native &Baha'i representative to the conference, and it is rather 
unfortunate that the United States of America should have to be 
excluded, as the speakers at the conference must necessarily be subjects 
of the British Empire.  
     I am enclosing recent translations of the prophetic and most 
remarkable words of &Baha'u'llah and &Abdu'l-Baha which I trust you 
will all find of great value and interest in the great work you are doing 
for the Cause.  
     May this great project yield an abundant harvest for the Cause, and 
your efforts be richly blessed by the guiding Spirit of &Abdu'l-Baha.  
                                    Your fellow-worker, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
18 January 1924 
 
My dear Mr. Simpson, 
     Shoghi Effendi was glad to hear from you again and hopes 
that the activities of the friends in England are progressing day 
after day.  There is really so much to be done in almost every 
country that the more the friends accomplish, the larger does the 
field of service become.  As a matter of fact in many countries we 
can hardly claim to have fully represented the Cause and to have 
declared its strong and sublime principles to all classes of men.  It 
is with a vision of greater accomplishments among higher and 
higher circles of society, that our Guardian wishes his fellow-workers 
to feel inspired; and in these dark and dismal days it is 
 
+P23 
the proclamation of &Baha'u'llah's great Message for which the 
faithful servant must strive with heart and soul.  
     Concerning the sum which Shoghi Effendi has sent to the 
National Assembly as a personal gift; he would like to inform 
you that in case you feel in great need of funds for the activities 
of the Cause in England, you might take from the sum which he 
sent you, and at the time of the Exposition Shoghi Effendi might 
be able to help you in case you cannot collect the necessary 
expense.  Shoghi Effendi attaches great hopes to the activities of 
the friends in London, and may they some day be realised.  
     The copies of the "Hidden Words" you had published were 
received and Shoghi Effendi thinks that they are quite well 
printed.  He is glad that he can share these comforting thoughts 
from &Baha'u'llah with his brothers and sisters in the West....  

          [From the Guardian:] 
My dear fellow-worker, 
     I always look forward with keen anticipation to any news from 
England indicating the progress and advancement of the Cause so dear 
to our hearts.  I pray ardently for every one of you and assure you 
personally of my affection, esteem and gratitude, 
                                    Your brother, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
6 February 1924 
 
My dear Mr. Simpson, 
     I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter to our dear 
Guardian and assure you that he is always most glad to hear from 
you in person and to know still more of the activities of his 
fellow-workers in that country.  At a time when the whole work 
and administration of the Cause with all its overpowering 
intensity and extent has devolved upon the shoulders of our 
youthful Guardian, I am sure you quite well realise what every 
single expression of the progress of the Cause he stands for would 
mean to him as our leader and captain; and at a time when the 
varied questions and problems that the &Baha'i Movement, on its 
way to the spiritual reconquest of the world, is confronted with, 
seem endless in number, I hardly need mention what effect the 
 
+P24 
personal assurance and the undying enthusiasm of his fellow-workers 
would bear upon the tender heart of Shoghi Effendi.  
     Concerning the passing away of Mr. Hall's father, he wishes 
me to ask you to extend to him a full measure of his grief at the 
bereavement of such a radiant brother as Mr. Hall, although he 
briefly conveyed his sentiments to him through a short telegram.  
He was, however, quite pleased with Mr. Hall's work and the 
measure of success which he has met with.  He shared this good 
news with his friends here with a view to inspire all to action.  
You should assure Mr. Hall that the deep sense of love and 
gratitude that Shoghi Effendi feels toward him is perhaps too 
great for me to put into words, but I feel that the success which 
he has attained is an ample proof of Shoghi Effendi's ardent 
prayers for him.  

          [From the Guardian:] 
My esteemed brother:--
     Just a word of appreciation on my part of your devoted and persistent 
efforts in the service of the Cause.  Do please convey to our precious 
Mr. Hall my condolences and sentiments of undying affection as well 
as the assurance of my ardent prayers for the welfare and spiritual 
happiness of his dear family and the Manchester &Baha'i Group.  
                                                            Shoghi 
 
11 June 1924 
 
To Mr. Simpson, President of the &Baha'i National Spiritual 
Assembly of England.  
 
My dear and revered &Baha'i Brother, 
     As I do not have your address with me I am writing and 
forwarding this to you through our dear brother, Mr. 
Asgarzadeh.+  Some time ago I received a letter addressed to our 
beloved Guardian from Miss Mabel M. Sharples, the Hon. 
Secretary of the Conference on Living Religions within the 
Empire, giving him some information concerning the time of 
the Conference, and conditions covering the submission of 
papers to be read at the Conference.  I forwarded this letter to our 
beloved Shoghi Effendi.  
     Yesterday I received a letter from him instructing me to 
 
+P25 
answer in his behalf Miss Sharples' letter.  Yesterday I answered 
her letter and told her that Shoghi Effendi hopes to be able to 
attend the Conference and deliver an address on the Cause in 
person and in case circumstances prevent him from doing so, a 
paper will be sent to the Conference through Mr. Simpson, the 
President of the &Baha'i Spiritual Assembly, to be read on that 
occasion.  I told her also that we will appreciate any further 
information or suggestion she thinks necessary in regard to this 
matter.  This information or suggestion will be communicated 
by her to your National Spiritual Assembly.  
     This morning a cablegram was communicated by the Greatest 
Holy Leaf to Mr. Roy Wilhelm in New York, instructing the 
committee in charge of the desired article to hasten its despatch.  
This article should be handed towards the end of July.  The time 
is short.  If the American friends have already sent that article, I 
mean if it is on the way, and we receive it in time, we shall 
immediately forward it to our dear Shoghi Effendi for his 
approval and then mail it to you.  If it, however, arrives late, we 
will directly mail it to you so that you may modify it if necessary 
and hand it over to the Secretary of the Conference.  In the latter 
case, it is not necessary to submit it to Shoghi Effendi for his 
approval, for he authorises you, the members of the National 
Spiritual Assembly to make any correction which you think 
advisable.  
     Shoghi Effendi has also instructed me to enclose a cheque for 
thirty pounds in this letter as contribution towards the 
Conference.  If the English friends are to add something to this 
sum and offer it to the Conference, it will be highly appreciated 
by Shoghi Effendi.  
     The cheque is drawn by the Anglo-Palestine Bank at Haifa on 
the Jewish Colonial Trust, London, payable to your order.  It is 
dated June 15th and No. F077834/34224.  Today we received 
the answer to our cablegram to Mr. Wilhelm, stating that the 
article was mailed on the 11th, both to Haifa and England and 
that Mr. Mills would gladly act at the Conference.  
     As we understand Mr. Mountfort Mills may go from America 
to England at the time of the Conference.  Shoghi Effendi will be 
very glad, if Mr. Mills read the Paper.  This desire of Shoghi 
Effendi was also mentioned in to-day's cablegram which was 
communicated to Mr. Wilhelm.  
 
+P26 
     Through the many cablegrams and letters which have arrived 
from different centres of the Cause, promising the maintenance 
of harmony, union and love among the dear friends, the grief 
and sorrow of our beloved Guardian has been greatly lightened 
and so we have great hope that when the hot season of the Holy 
Land is over, we will have the pleasure and joy of his return.  
     The members of the Holy Family are all sending you and 
your dear co-workers their tender love and assure you of their 
ardent prayers at the Holy Shrines in your behalf.  They are 
always awaiting heart-refreshing glad tidings from you.  My 
humble greeting and warm love to yourself and the dear friends 
too.  
     Your humble brother and co-worker in His service, 

(Enclosure)  
&Bahiyyih &Khanum, Haifa 
ARTICLE MAILED ELEVENTH BOTH HAIFA LONDON GLADLY ACT 
CONFERENCE.  
                                                            MILLS 

16 July 1924 
 
My dear &Baha'i Brother, 
     ...I have to write you and inform you that only yesterday I 
had the privilege of receiving a letter from our dear Guardian 
who is still away from Haifa ... he wishes me to write you, in 
answer to your letter to him, that he very much regrets to be 
unable to be present in London and represent a Cause to which 
he has ... dedicated his heart and soul.  Were it at all possible for 
me to send you his short note, you would see for yourself with 
what a spirit he expresses his deep regret....  Although he realises 
your disappointment at his inability to go to London, he wishes 
me to assure every one of you that his eager prayers for you all 
is unfailing and that it is with a glad heart that he cherishes the 
fondest hopes in the effort that the proceedings of the religious 
Conference shall have on the audience.  May I also add that this 
is a hope in which everybody shares especially the Greatest Holy 
Leaf and the members of the family.  
     I presume by now you have already received a copy of the 
address that is to be read...  
 
+P27 
     You might be interested to know that the news of the progress 
of the Cause among the Kadiani sect in India is quite surprising 
and two of their chief leaders have not only become &Baha'is, but 
have started an admirable little weekly, I think, through which 
they hope to bring many of their colleagues over.  By the way, 
I believe the leader of the sect who is himself a young man is 
coming over to London to represent his sect at the Conference.  
     The confusion and disorder in Persia which had aroused so 
much apprehension on the part of the helpless &Baha'is and had 
even led in one case to actual martyrdom, has apparently 
subsided for the moment.  
     Here in Haifa everybody is in good health.  With heartfelt 
greetings to all the friends in London....  
 
 
23 September 1924 
 
MAY WEMBLEY (sic CONFERENCE) FULFIL YOUR FONDEST HOPES 
PRAY CONVEY AUTHORITIES MY SINCERE REGRET AT INABILITY TO 
BE PRESENT I WISH THEM FULL SUCCESS IN THEIR NOBLE 
ENDEAVOURS.  
                                                            SHOGHI 
 
24 September 1924+F1  
 
The beloved of the Lord and the hand-maids of 
the Merciful in Great Britain.  
 
Care of the National Spiritual Assembly.  
 
Dear Friends, 
     I return to the Holy Land with an overpowering sense of the 
gravity of the spiritual state of the Cause in the world.  Much as I 
deplore the disturbing effect of my forced and repeated withdrawals 
from the field of service, I can unhesitatingly assure you that my last 
and momentous step was taken with extreme reluctance and only after 
 
+F1 Also addressed to America and published in "&Baha'i Administration".  
 
+P28 
mature and anxious reflection as to the best way to safeguard the 
interests of a precious Cause.  
     My prolonged absence, my utter inaction should not, however, be 
solely attributed to certain external manifestations of unharmony, of 
discontent and disloyalty--however paralysing their effect has been 
upon the continuance of my work--but also to my own unworthiness 
and to my imperfections and frailties.  
     I venture to request you to join me in yet another prayer, this time 
more ardent and universal than before, supplicating with one voice the 
gracious Master to overlook our weaknesses and failings, to make us 
worthier and braver children of His own.  
     Humanity, through suffering and turmoil, is swiftly moving on 
towards its destiny; if we be loiterers, if we fail to play our part surely 
others will be called upon to take up our task as ministers to the crying 
needs of this afflicted world.  
     Not by the force of numbers, not by the mere exposition of a set of 
new and noble principles, not by an organised campaign of teaching--
no matter how worldwide and elaborate in its character--not even by 
the staunchness of our faith or the exaltation of our enthusiasm, can 
we ultimately hope to vindicate in the eyes of a critical and sceptical 
age the supreme claim of the &Abha Revelation.  One thing and only 
one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of 
this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own inner life and 
private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendour 
of those eternal principles proclaimed by &Baha'u'llah.  
     Looking back upon those sullen days of my retirement, bitter with 
feelings of anxiety and gloom, I can recall with appreciation and 
gratitude those unmistakable evidences of your affection and steadfast 
zeal which I have received from time to time, and which have served 
to relieve in no small measure the burden that weighed so heavily upon 
my heart.  
     I can well imagine the degree of uneasiness, nay of affliction, that 
must have agitated the mind and soul of every loving and loyal servant 
of the Beloved during these long months of suspense and distressing 
silence.  But I assure you such remarkable solicitude as you have shown 
for the protection of His Cause, such tenacity of faith and unceasing 
activity as you have displayed for its promotion, cannot but in the end 
be abundantly rewarded by &Abdu'l-Baha, who from His station above 
is the sure witness of all that you have endured and suffered for Him.  
     And now as I look into the future, I hope to see the friends at all 
 
+P29 
times, in every land, and of every shade of thought and character, 
voluntarily and joyously rallying round their local and in particular 
their national centres of activity, upholding and promoting their 
interests with complete unanimity and contentment, with perfect 
understanding, genuine enthusiasm, and sustained vigour.  This indeed 
is the one joy and yearning of my life, for it is the fountain-head from 
which all future blessings will flow, the broad foundation upon which 
the security of the Divine Edifice must ultimately rest.  May we not 
hope that now at last the dawn of a brighter day is breaking upon our 
beloved Cause?  
                                                            Shoghi 
 
10 October 1924 
 
My dear good brother, 
     Your letter of Sept. 30th written to our beloved Guardian, 
Shoghi Effendi, arrived and rejoiced his dear heart with its very 
interesting contents.  
     Yesterday he instructed me to translate a great part of it into 
Persian so that it may be inserted in the circular of the Haifa 
Spiritual Assembly and also to convey to you his great affection 
for you and the dear English friends who so splendidly laboured 
towards the dignified representation of the Cause of God at the 
Conference on Religions.  
     We have already the reports given in "The Times" from the 
two sessions of the Conference allotted to the &Ahmadiyyih 
people and to us.  Both are very interesting indeed....  
     Shoghi Effendi prays for the success and confirmation of you 
and all the dear and noble English friends whose earnestness of 
efforts towards the welfare of the Cause of God he highly 
admires and appreciates with profound love....  
 
 
10 October 1924 
 
My dearly-beloved brother, 
     I am highly gratified with your splendid achievements and deeply 
appreciative of your painstaking efforts.  More power to your elbow!  
You are rendering our precious Cause a splendid service in its hour of 
 
+P30 
need!  Lady Blomfield's+ idea of a reception was undoubtedly inspired 
and was admirably executed.  It has indeed rejoiced my heart.  My love 
and my gratitude for her wise, patient and fruitful efforts.  
                                    Your brother, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
25 October 1924 
 
My dear &Baha'i Brother, 
     Your very interesting letter of Oct. 15th. written to our 
beloved Guardian together with the printed copy of the sermon 
of Dr. Walsh arrived the day before yesterday and imparted 
great joy to his dear heart.  He cherishes great hopes for the bright 
future of the Cause in England.  Of course his hopes are partly 
based on the intrinsic mighty power of the Cause of God and 
partly on the dignified way the dear friends in England are 
presenting the Cause of God to the public.  
     Yesterday afternoon he instructed me to write this informing 
you of the safe arrival of your letter and assure you that he 
appreciates with great love your distinguished services to the 
Cause of God.  He prays at the Holy Shrines that fresh 
confirmations may reach you from the &Abha Kingdom day by 
day so that you may have material comfort and spiritual success.  
He is sure that the holy spirit of our beloved Lord, &Abdu'l-Baha 
is watching over you and guiding your steps in life.  
     The members of the Holy Family and the friends in Haifa are 
thinking of you and the other dear friends in England with love 
and admiration, joining all in prayers for your happiness.  

          [From the Guardian:] 
My dearest friend, 
     I wish to add a few words of assurance and sympathy in view of the 
heavy burden of responsibility that rests on your shoulders in these 
difficult and trying times.  My fervent and increasing prayer is that 
&Abdu'l-Baha may show you the way that will enable you to continue 
your splendid pioneer work effectually, peacefully, free from every 
earthly care and anxiety.  Dr. Walsh's sermon is astonishingly good.  
I wish you would send me about 50 copies of the same.  I pray 
unceasingly for my friends in England.  
                                                            Shoghi 
 
+P31 
4 November 1924 
 
My dear Mr. Simpson, 
     It is always a pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your letters 
to our dear Guardian, and he was deeply interested in the minutes 
of the last meeting of the N.S.A. which you were so kind as to 
enclose.  
     Your own letter, however, brought up a very interesting and 
vital question in regard to the future progress of the Cause in 
England, especially now that through the efforts of you all the 
spread of the &Baha'i Movement has been well placed on the road 
to our ultimate victory.  Now is the time to take all necessary 
measures against a slacking in our pace and it is truly unfortunate 
that just when the individual endeavours of every single member 
is most needed and necessary, age and earthly cares deprive us of 
some of our experienced and able co-workers.  It would, I believe, 
be a great service if just as few as possible could manage to deny 
themselves of the joy and enthusiasm of serving as noble a Cause.  
     I am sure it would interest you to know that Mr. and Mrs. 
Mills are now in Haifa and all that they have to say proves well 
the energy and efforts of the London friends.  We already have 
about ten pilgrims and are expecting some more.  I suppose Dr. 
Esslemont who would have much to tell us and whose arrival 
Shoghi Effendi is eagerly awaiting, is among those who will 
soon arrive....  

          [From the Guardian:] 
My dear fellow-worker, 
     I trust that the prolonged visit of Dr. Esslemont will prove to be in 
future pregnant with far-reaching possibilities for the service of the 
Cause in England.  To yourself I send my imperishable love and 
brotherly greetings.  
                                    Affectionately, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
22 November 1924 
 
My dear Mr. Simpson, 
     The letter you had sent through Dr. Esslemont to Shoghi 
Effendi has arrived and it gave him very great pleasure to read 
it.  Although it is quite beyond me to express to you just what 
 
+P32 
thoughts and sentiments your frank expressions of loyalty and 
love aroused in his heart, this I feel I can assure you that it made 
him hopeful of the future and added to his great confidence in 
you.  
     The &Baha'i Cause has a great mission to the people of England 
but the field of service though immensely vast presents 
innumerable difficulties, and it needs the able hand of a staunch 
and true &Baha'i primarily and the dexterity of a good supervisor, 
to overcome every confronting difficulty and to carry His 
Message to millions of people.  This responsibility has been 
entrusted to you by the guided decision of the &Baha'is in England 
and our Guardian finds great pleasure in confiding the same duty 
in you and in endorsing the happy decision of the friends there.  
     In regard to your contemplated withdrawal from the 
presidency of the N.S.A. and the London Assembly, it made him 
very happy to know that even the thought of it has totally 
vanished.  The hopes that he cherished in you are far too many to 
permit you a more quiet part in &Baha'i activities in England, and 
the hopeful signs of progress in the past year has made the 
prospects of the coming year very bright and it all depends upon 
the efforts of the friends in England and the guidance of our 
Master from on high just how bright it shall turn out to be.  
     We still have Mr. Mills with us in Haifa and I assure you, we 
miss you very much.  The photograph you had sent to Shoghi 
Effendi has been received and it shall be framed and placed in the 
Persian Pilgrim House...  
     ...just of late we had the very sad news of the martyrdom of 
a &Baha'i woman expecting to be soon a mother, and although she 
was related to very influential officers in the army, nothing 
could make the criminals, who sought refuge in the house of one 
of the Mullas, arrested.  Though such cases of untold carnage 
prove with much more force than mere words just what the 
spirit of &Baha'u'llah infused into every such &Baha'i has been, and 
exactly what it means in Persia to try and become one, the 
horrors of such a murder are truly beyond words.  All that we 
have to do is to seek His Grace and to beg and implore for God's 
mercy.  
     May I also write a further assurance of Shoghi Effendi's 
reliance upon you and with an expression of his heartfelt love for 
you....  
 
+P33 
          [From the Guardian:] 
My most precious fellow-worker, 
     But for your unremitting labours, your sound and selfless efforts, the 
burden that weighs upon me would prove well-nigh unbearable.  I am 
sure your heart responds to the sentiments that surge in my heart.  I 
have a profound admiration for the heroic manner in which you are 
rendering such pioneer service to the Cause in England.  May the 
Master sustain you, comfort you and uphold you in your great task.  
Be assured of my brotherly, unfailing prayers.  
                                    I am your true and affectionate brother, 
                                                            Shoghi 

24 November 1924+F1  
 
To my dearly beloved brothers and sisters in &Abdu'l-Baha.  
Care of the English National Spiritual Assembly.  
 
Dearest friends!  
     The day is drawing near when for the third time we shall 
commemorate the world over the passing of our well-beloved &Abdu'l-Baha.  
May we not pause for a moment, and gather our thoughts?  
How has it fared with us, His little band of followers, since that day?  
Whither are we now marching, what has been our achievement?  
     We have but to turn our eyes to the world without to realise the 
fierceness and the magnitude of the forces of darkness that are 
struggling with the dawning light of the &Abha Revelation.  Nations, 
though exhausted and disillusioned, have seemingly begun to cherish 
anew the spirit of revenge, of domination, and strife.  Peoples, convulsed 
by economic upheavals, are slowly drifting into two great opposing 
camps with all their menace of social chaos, class hatreds, and world-wide 
ruin.  Races, alienated more than ever before, are filled with 
mistrust, humiliation and fear, and seem to prepare themselves for a 
fresh and fateful encounter.  Creeds and religions, caught in this 
whirlpool of conflict and passion, appear to gaze with impotence and 
despair at this spectacle of increasing turmoil.  
     Such is the plight of mankind three years after the passing of Him 
from Whose lips fell unceasingly the sure message of a fast-approaching 
Divine salvation.  Are we by our thoughts, our words, our deeds, 
 
+F1 Printed also in "&Baha'i Administration".  
 
+P34 
whether individually or collectively, preparing the way?  Are we 
hastening the advent of the Day He so often foretold?  
     None can deny that the flame of faith and love which His mighty 
hand kindled in many hearts has, despite our bereavement, continued 
to burn as brightly and steadily as ever before.  Who can question that 
His loved ones, both in the East and the West, notwithstanding the 
insidious strivings of the enemies of the Cause, have displayed a spirit 
of unshakable loyalty worthy of the highest praise?  What greater 
perseverance and fortitude than that which His tried and trusted 
friends have shown in the face of untold calamities, intolerable 
oppression, and incredible restrictions?  Such staunchness of faith, such 
an unsullied love, such magnificent loyalty, such heroic constancy, 
such noble courage, however unprecedented and laudable in themselves, 
cannot alone lead us to the final and complete triumph of such a great 
Cause.  Not until the dynamic love we cherish for Him is sufficiently 
reflected in its power and purity in all our dealings with our fellowmen, 
however remotely connected and humble in origin, can we hope to 
exalt in the eyes of a self-seeking world the genuineness of the all-conquering
love of God.  Not until we live ourselves the life of a true 
&Baha'i can we hope to demonstrate the creative and transforming 
potency of the Faith we profess.  Nothing but the abundance of our 
actions, nothing but the purity of our lives and the integrity of our 
character, can in the last resort establish our claim that the &Baha'i spirit 
is in this day the sole agency that can translate a long cherished ideal 
into an enduring achievement.  
     With this vision clearly set before us, and fortified by the knowledge 
of the gracious aid of &Baha'u'llah and the repeated assurances of 
&Abdu'l-Baha, let us first strive to live the life and then arise with one 
heart, one mind, one voice, to reinforce our numbers and achieve our 
end.  Let us recall, and seek on this sad occasion the comfort of the last 
wishes of our departed yet ever watchful Master:  
 
        "It behoveth them not to rest for a moment, neither to 
     seek repose.  They must disperse themselves in every land, 
     pass by every clime, and travel throughout all regions.  
     Bestirred, without rest, and steadfast to the end, they must 
     raise in every land the triumphal cry, &Ya &Baha'u'l-Abha!  
     (O Thou the Glory of Glories)....  The disciples of Christ 
     forgot themselves and all earthly things, forsook all their 
     cares and belongings, purged themselves of self and passion, 
 
+P35 
     and with absolute detachment scattered far and wide and 
     engaged in calling the peoples of the world to the divine 
     guidance; till at last they made the world another world, 
     illumined the surface of the earth, and even to their last 
     hour proved self-sacrificing in the pathway of that beloved 
     one of God.  Finally in various lands they suffered glorious 
     martyrdom.  Let them that are men of action follow in their 
     footsteps!"  
 
     Having grasped the significance of these words, having obtained a 
clear understanding of the true character of our mission, the methods 
to adopt, the course to pursue, and having attained sufficiently that 
individual regeneration--the essential requisite of teaching--let us 
arise to teach His Cause with righteousness, conviction, understanding 
and vigour.  Let this be the paramount and most urgent duty of every 
&Baha'i.  Let us make it the dominating passion of our life.  Let us scatter 
to the uttermost corners of the earth; sacrifice our personal interests, 
comforts, tastes and pleasures; mingle with the divers kindreds and 
peoples of the world; familiarise ourselves with their manners, 
traditions, thoughts and customs; arouse, stimulate and maintain 
universal interest in the Movement, and at the same time endeavour 
by all the means in our power, by concentrated and persistent attention, 
to enlist the unreserved allegiance and the active support of the more 
hopeful and receptive among our hearers.  Let us too bear in mind the 
example which our beloved Master has clearly set before us.  Wise and 
tactful in His approach, wakeful and attentive in His early intercourse, 
broad and liberal in all His public utterances, cautious and gradual in 
the unfolding of the essential verities of the Cause, passionate in His 
appeal yet sober in argument, confident in tone, unswerving in 
conviction, dignified in His manners--such were the distinguishing 
features of our Beloved's noble presentation of the Cause of &Baha'u'llah.  
     If we all choose to tread faithfully His path, surely the day is not far 
distant when our beloved Cause will have emerged from the inevitable 
obscurity of a young and struggling Faith into the broad daylight of 
universal recognition.  This is our duty, our first obligation.  Therein 
lies the secret of the success of the Cause we love so well.  Therein lies 
the hope, the salvation of mankind.  Are we fully conscious of our 
responsibilities?  Do we realise the urgency, the sacredness, the 
immensity, the glory of our task?  
     I entreat you, dear friends, to continue, nay, to redouble your efforts, 
 
+P36 
to keep your vision clear, your hopes undimmed, your determination 
unshaken, so that the power of God within us may fill the world with 
all its glory.  
     In this fervent plea joins me the Greatest Holy Leaf.  Though 
chagrined in the evening of her life at the sorrowful tales of repression 
in Persia, she still turns with the deepest longings of her heart to your 
land where freedom reigns, eager and expectant to behold, ere she is 
called away, the signs of the universal triumph of the Cause she loves 
so dearly.  
                                                            Shoghi 
 
13 February 1925 
 
     "I have read with the deepest pleasure the Minutes of the meeting 
of your National Assembly and am deeply gratified to note the 
constancy, devotion and thoroughness with which you are conducting 
your affairs."  

(Copied from National Spiritual Assembly Minutes, 28 February 
1925)  
 
 
26 March 1925 
 
My dear &Baha'i Brother, 
     Your interesting letter of March 12th written to our beloved 
Guardian together with the draft minutes of the 12th meeting of 
your National Spiritual Assembly has been received.  The draft 
on Haifa for the sum of thirty-three pounds sterling which is the 
joint contribution of the English friends for the relief of their 
suffering brothers at &Nayriz, and enclosed in your letter, has also 
been received.  This sum has been added to contributions received 
from other centres and will be sent by next mail to the National 
Spiritual Assembly of Persia.  From Persia they shall acknowledge 
the receipt of this sum directly and for the present, our Guardian 
acknowledges its receipt gratefully and wishes you to kindly 
convey his gratitude to all the dear friends who have so kindly 
and generously contributed.  
     Our dear brother, Dr. Esslemont, was not well for some time, 
 
+P37 
but now I am glad to tell you that he is better and we are 
expecting him to come out of the hospital to-day.  
     We have nowadays the pleasure of having among us the first 
group of our beloved New Zealand and Australian believers.  
They are of great sincerity and devotion.  From here they are 
intending to visit England where I am sure you will enjoy their 
acquaintance and company very much....  

          [From the Guardian:] 
My precious fellow-worker, 
     The prompt and generous contribution of the British friends for the 
relief of the sufferers in &Nayriz is deeply appreciated and I wish to 
offer through you to them all in the name of the victims of that great 
catastrophe my deep and grateful thanks.  May the All-Bountiful 
reward and bless them a hundred fold!  The sum of approximately 
1000 pounds has been until now collected from various parts of the 
&Baha'i world and more is expected.  What an admirable and convincing 
testimony of the reality of the &Baha'i bond that binds the East with the 
West.  Regarding the historical compilation suggested by the Persian 
friends, I think your plan is suitable and correct.  The English N.S.A. 
will I trust collect all the data and exercise its discretion and judgment 
in collating all the material received from the friends and assemblies 
throughout Great Britain, and, after having given it a definite and 
final shape, will forward it direct to Persia.  I would welcome a copy of 
it myself.  Assuring you of my gratitude and prayers, 
                                    Your true brother, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
2 November 1925 
 
&IRAQ'S SUPREME COURT UNEXPECTEDLY PRONOUNCED VERDICT 
AGAINST US IN &BAGHDAD CASE STRONGLY ADVISE NATIONAL AND 
EVERY LOCAL ASSEMBLY COMMUNICATE BY CABLE AND LETTER 
WITH &IRAQ HIGH COMMISSIONER APPEALING ARDENTLY FOR 
ACTION TO ENSURE THE SECURITY OF &BAHA'U'LLAH'S SACRED HOUSE.  
                                                            SHOGHI. 
 
+P38 
6 November 1925+F1  
 
To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful 
throughout the East and throughout the West.  
 
Dearly-beloved friends:  
     The sad and sudden crisis that has arisen in connexion with the 
ownership of &Baha'u'llah's sacred house in &Baghdad has sent a thrill 
of indignation and dismay throughout the whole of the &Baha'i world.  
Houses that have been occupied by &Baha'u'llah for well nigh the whole 
period of His exile in &Iraq, ordained by Him as the chosen and 
sanctified object of &Baha'i pilgrimage in future, magnified and extolled 
in countless Tablets and Epistles as the sacred centre "round which 
shall circle all peoples and kindreds of the earth"--lie now, due to 
fierce intrigue and ceaseless fanatical opposition, at the mercy of the 
declared enemies of the Cause.  
     I have instantly communicated with every &Baha'i Centre in both 
East and West, and urgently requested the faithful followers of the 
Faith in every land to protest vehemently against this glaring 
perversion of justice, to assert firmly and courteously the spiritual 
rights of the &Baha'i community to the ownership of this venerated 
house, to plead for British fairness and justice, and to pledge their 
unswerving determination to ensure the security of this hallowed spot.  
     Conscious of the fact that this property has been occupied by &Baha'i 
authorised representatives for an uninterrupted period of not less than 
thirty years, and having successfully won their case at the Justice of 
Peace and the Court of First Instance, the &Baha'is the world over 
cannot believe that the high sense of honour and fairness which 
inspired the British Administration of &Iraq will ever tolerate such 
grave miscarriage of justice.  They confidently appeal to the public 
opinion of the world for the defence and protection of their legitimate 
rights now sorely trampled under the feet of relentless enemies.  
     Widespread and effective publicity along these lines, in well-conceived 
and carefully-worded terms, is strongly recommended for it 
will undoubtedly serve to facilitate the solution of this delicate and 
perplexing problem.  
     Having exerted ourselves to the utmost of our ability, let us rest 
assured in the power of the Lord, Who keepeth watch over His house, 
and Who will, no matter how dark present prospects appear, assure for 
generations yet unborn His cherished and holy edifice.  
                                    Your brother and fellow-worker, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
+F1 Printed also in "&Baha'i Administration".  
 
+P39 
11 November 1925 
 
Dear Friends, 
     I have been asked to enclose for your kind attention the 
following papers:--  
 1.  Circular letter concerning the residential house of &Baha'u'llah 
     in &Baghdad.  
 2.  Circular letter concerning the purchase of land around the 
     Holy Shrines in Haifa.  
 3.  The system of transliteration to be used in all &Baha'i references.  
 4.  A plan of the immediate neighbourhood of the Shrines in 
     Haifa showing in approximate proportions the different plots 
     around it.  
 
     In view of the extreme importance of the aforementioned 
papers, Shoghi Effendi trusts that all necessary measures will be 
taken to insure their prompt distribution among all the different 
assemblies and among all such recognised &Baha'is as your 
distinguished assembly deems fit and advisable....  
 
 
12 November 1925 
 
Dear &Baha'i Brother, 
     Our dear Guardian was very glad to receive your letter of 
Nov. 4th through which you acquaint him with the steps you 
have already taken in carrying out his instruction concerning the 
&Baghdad House.  
     He is highly pleased with what you have done.  In other &Baha'i 
Centres also the friends have in a similar way followed promptly 
his telegraphic instruction.  Up to this time we have received no 
further information regarding the actual situation of the House.  
     Shoghi Effendi will let you know of any fresh development 
as soon as he receives information.  He sends you his warm 
affection and extends to you his appreciation for your noble 
services to the Cause of God.  He prays for your health and 
success in service.  He wishes you to kindly convey his loving 
greeting to all the dear friends in England....  
 
+P40 
          [From the Guardian:] 
My dear self-sacrificing brother, 
     The wise and prompt measures you have taken have given me the 
utmost satisfaction.  I trust your devoted endeavours will be crowned 
with full success.  I have sent you a few days ago various circulars, a list 
of transliterated terms and the plan of the surroundings of the Holy 
Shrine, copies of all of which I earnestly request you to place in the 
hands of every recognised believer.  
                                    Your grateful brother, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
23 November 1925 
 
BELOVED ESSLEMONT PASSED AWAY, COMMUNICATE FRIENDS AND 
FAMILY DISTRESSING NEWS URGE BELIEVERS DEDICATE SPECIAL DAY 
FOR UNIVERSAL PRAYER AND REMEMBRANCE.  
                                                            SHOGHI 
 
27 November 1925 
 
My dear &Baha'i Brother, 
     I find it very hard to be able to express in adequate words our 
deep feelings and sorrow at the loss of our dearly-beloved 
brother Dr. Esslemont.  Those of us who had known him only 
since his sojourn in Haifa, had even in that short period of time, 
learnt to admire and love him.  How much more so those of you 
to whom he was an old friend and fellow-worker.  
     I have been ordered by Shoghi Effendi to relate in as simple 
words as possible for the information of his friends in England, 
the sufferings of his last days and yet words fail me in that painful 
task.  
     The chronic disease from which he had suffered in the past 
had very much undermined his weak constitution and his 
eagerness to serve the Cause he so dearly loved, despite all advice 
to the contrary, was a great tax upon his failing strength.  His stay 
at the Black Forest in Germany all through the summer had 
improved his health, but upon his return to Haifa he felt rather 
weak and he was frequently in bed for a few days.  Not until a 
fortnight ago was Dr. Esslemont seriously ill and even then the 
doctors thought that in spite of the fact that the trouble from 
 
+P41 
which he had suffered in the past was now more active there was 
no reason for great anxiety.  His health was slowly improving 
and everything was being done to give him the best medical 
advice obtainable here in Haifa, when suddenly and unexpectedly 
at about midnight of November 21st the doctor had a severe 
stroke of "cerebral embolus".  The next day a second stroke 
followed and he at last succumbed to the third which he had at 
about seven o'clock of the next evening.  The attending doctors 
were both European--one Italian and the other German.  Our 
two &Baha'i doctors Yunis &Khan and &Mirza &Arastu, whom you 
must have met in London very gladly put themselves at his 
disposal.  
     Hard as it was for everyone who had known Dr. Esslemont 
to see him pass away and to realise what a great loss it means to 
the friends the world over, we can find no greater consolation 
than in the happy thought that he now lies in peace and his soul 
where it so loved to be.  Beyond all earthly cares, all pains and 
sorrows his soul dwells forever.  
     The funeral service was both simple and touching.  His body 
was washed by two of the friends, dressed and wrapped in white 
silk cloth and perfumed by attar of roses.  On his finger Shoghi 
Effendi placed his own &Baha'i ring which he had worn for a 
good many years.  Laid in a simple casket of walnut and placed 
in the hall of the Pilgrim House, the friends gathered together 
and said their funeral prayer over him.  The casket was carried 
for a short distance by Shoghi Effendi and then placed in the 
Master's carriage and accompanied by the sons-in-law of the 
Master it slowly wound its way, followed by eleven other cabs 
carrying the friends, to the foot of Mt. Carmel.  There it was laid 
to rest in that beautifully-situated cemetery, and flowers from 
the garden of the Master's home were scattered over his grave.  
Simple as he was in his life and character, equally simple was his 
funeral service.  And yet just as in the simplicity of his character 
lay his many virtues, in like manner did the simplicity of that 
service sink into every heart and fill every eye with tears.  
     In case you think it would please them you are perfectly 
welcome to communicate to the family of Dr. Esslemont the 
particulars of his death and burial.  Enclosed you will please find 
a letter from Shoghi Effendi addressed to the family and relations 
of the deceased.  You will please have it read by his wife, who I 
 
+P42 
believe is in London, and then sent over to his father and sister 
who are in Aberdeen.  
     Due to the reason that Shoghi Effendi hopes to build in the 
near future the grave of Dr. Esslemont on his behalf and on 
behalf of all the friends, our Guardian would like very much to 
have the design chosen by the family of the deceased.  Of course 
you would let them know that through certain considerations it 
would be best to have the design devoid of any cross as that in 
this country would particularise it to the Christian faith.  You 
would let the family know that the expense would be defrayed 
by the friends all over the world and by Shoghi Effendi himself.  
     Shoghi Effendi would also like you to send the picture of Dr. 
Esslemont to the countries where the friends have published 
magazines with a request to have it published.  They are America, 
India, Germany and Australia.  He wants you also to write a 
comprehensive biographical sketch of the life of Dr. Esslemont 
for "The Star" in America laying most stress on his life since he 
became a &Baha'i.  This of course does not necessarily mean that 
you should write it yourself but anyone in London.  You should 
also make mention of him in your circular letter in detail....  
 
 
30 November 1925+F1  
 
To the beloved of God and the handmaids of the Merciful in the East 
and in the West.  
 
Dear fellow-workers, 
     It is with feelings of overwhelming sorrow that I communicate to 
you the news of yet another loss which the Almighty, in His 
inscrutable wisdom, has chosen to inflict upon our beloved Cause.  On 
the 22nd of November, 1925--that memorable and sacred day in 
which the &Baha'is of the Orient celebrated the twin Festivals of the 
Declaration of the &Bab and the Birthday of &Abdu'l-Baha--Dr. John 
E. Esslemont passed on to the &Abha Kingdom.  His end was as swift 
as it was unexpected.  Suffering from the effects of a chronic and 
insidious disease, he fell at last a victim to the inevitable complications 
that ensued, the fatal course of which neither the efforts of vigilant 
 
+F1 Printed also in "&Baha'i Administration".  
 
+P43 
physicians nor the devoted care of his many friends could possibly 
deflect.  
     He bore his sufferings with admirable fortitude, with calm 
resignation and courage.  Though convinced that his ailments would 
never henceforth forsake him, yet many a time he revealed a burning 
desire that the friends residing in the Holy Land should, while visiting 
the Shrines, implore the All-Merciful to prolong his days that he may 
bring to a fuller completion his humble share of service to the Threshold 
of &Baha'u'llah.  To this noble request all hearts warmly responded.  But 
this was not to be.  His close association with my work in Haifa, in 
which I had placed fondest hopes, was suddenly cut short.  His book, 
however, an abiding monument to his pure intention, will, alone, 
inspire generations yet unborn to tread the path of truth and service as 
steadfastly and as unostentatiously as was trodden by its beloved 
author.  The Cause he loved so well he served even unto his last day 
with exemplary faith and unstinted devotion.  His tenacity of faith, his 
high integrity, his self-effacement, his industry and painstaking 
labours were traits of a character the noble qualities of which will live 
and live forever after him.  To me personally he was the warmest of 
friends, a trusted counsellor, an indefatigable collaborator, a lovable 
companion.  
     With tearful eyes I supplicate at the Threshold of &Baha'u'llah--
and request you all to join--in my ardent prayers, for the fuller 
unfolding in the realms beyond of a soul that has already achieved so 
high a spiritual standing in this world.  For by the beauty of his 
character, by his knowledge of the Cause, by the conspicuous 
achievements of his book, he has immortalised his name, and by sheer 
merit deserved to rank as one of the Hands of the Cause of God.  
     He has been laid to rest in the heart of that beautifully situated 
&Baha'i burial ground at the foot of Carmel, close to the mortal remains 
of that venerable soul, &Haji &Mirza &Vakilu'd-Dawlih, the illustrious 
cousin of the &Bab and chief builder of the &Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of 
&Ishqabad.  Pilgrims visiting his grave from far and near will, with 
pride and gratitude, do honour to a name that adorned the annals of an 
immortal Cause.  
     May he eternally rest in peace.  
                                                            Shoghi 
 
+P44 
5 December 1925 
 
My dear Mr. Simpson, 
     I write to acknowledge receipt of your two letters of Nov. 25 
and 28th to Shoghi Effendi and to thank you on his behalf for all 
the trouble you have taken in communicating to the friends and 
to his family the sad news of the passing away of Dr. Esslemont.  
Shoghi Effendi cannot but appreciate the many evidences of 
your devotion and love.  
     We are very glad to know that Mr. Mills is as successful in his 
endeavours and we trust that it should end with a decisive 
victory on our part.  Mr. Mills has kept us briefly in touch with 
what he has been doing in London but we still await more 
detailed news from him.  He is probably too busy to write.  
     Shoghi Effendi has already heard from Miss Esslemont.  
     Everybody is well here.  Shoghi Effendi and the family send 
you their heartfelt greetings....  

          [From the Guardian:] 
My dear indefatigable co-worker, 
     Knowing what the urgency and multiplicity of pressing activities 
mean to a person who pursues his task almost single-handed, I can 
well understand, sympathise, and admire your noble endeavours and 
the splendid work you are doing for the Cause of God.  I wish to renew 
the expression of my deep confidence in, and great appreciation of, the 
part you play at this highly-important and difficult stage of our work.  
Your communications regarding the houses in &Baghdad have been 
highly satisfactory and I trust will yield the long-desired fruit.  
Regarding the position of ..., &Azizu'llah &Khan &Bahadur will 
immediately after my decision let you know on my behalf what I feel 
to be the most suitable way of meeting this difficult situation.  I feel too 
overwhelmed with work to write more.  
                                                            Shoghi 
 
9 December 1925 
 
URGE FRIENDS INQUIRE IN COURTEOUS TERMS BY CABLE AND 
LETTER FROM &IRAQ HIGH COMMISSIONER RESULTS OF 
INVESTIGATIONS.  
                                                            SHOGHI 
 
+P45 
14 December 1925 
 
My dear Mr. Simpson, 
     I am sending you enclosed a copy of the pamphlet written by 
Dr. Esselmont.  
     Last year Dr. Esslemont sent you a similar copy of the 
pamphlet fully revised for you to publish.  Shoghi Effendi would 
like very much to have a copy of his revised edition and is 
sending the enclosed only as a reminder of some of the 
corrections and revisions he had made in the copy he sent you.  
In case you have published copies of the revised edition, Shoghi 
Effendi would like to have a number of copies sent to him and 
in case you have not published it, he would like you to send him 
a correct copy of the revised form of the edition as you have it.  
He could have it published himself.  In any case, however, he 
wishes you to send back to him the enclosed copy.  
     We received last night news that the keys of the houses in 
&Baghdad have been given to the &Shi'ites and they had made a 
regular demonstration on the occasion.  We await to see what 
will be done at last....  
 
 
23 January 1926 
 
My dear &Baha'i Brother, 
     I take pleasure in thanking you on behalf of our dear Guardian 
for your letters of Dec. 9th and 13th and of Jan. 4th which he 
was very glad to receive.  He appreciates immensely your many 
efforts and although so far away, you are to him, I assure you, a 
great and indispensable helper.  It is always with confidence in its 
thoroughness that he refers to you anything of importance.  
     He is so glad to learn that the friends in England have in the 
different centres held memorial meetings for our departed 
brother.  He was to us all a great friend and fellow-worker and 
to the Cause a faithful servant--his memory will help us to 
follow an equally righteous path.  
     The biographical sketch which you have written for the 
different &Baha'i magazines and a copy of which you had sent to 
our Guardian was received and read.  He fully approves of it and 
feels sure that the different publications will welcome your 
 
+P46 
article and will be glad to devote some of their pages to the 
memory of one whose name and writings were often to be seen 
in those same magazines.  
     With regard to the design of the grave of Dr. Esslemont, a 
picture of which you had sent enclosed, Shoghi Effendi wishes to 
inform you that although he himself liked the design and would 
have been glad to follow it altogether, up till the present the 
tombs of the &Baha'is have been very simply built and the custom 
has been to have them as beautiful and at the same time as simple 
as possible.  This general custom holds true even in the case of the 
tombs of the Master's mother and brother.  The graves are built 
of white marble stones but the designs have in every case been 
simple, and he wishes you very much to make the family of Dr. 
Esslemont understand that although Shoghi Effendi will not be 
able to follow the design strictly he will try to make the tomb 
as near it as possible, while keeping within the range of the 
customary simplicity.  Even the tomb of the cousin of the &Bab 
which is close to that of Dr. Esslemont and which Shoghi Effendi 
also intends to build will be very simple.  
     In connection with the leaflet of Dr. Esslemont, Shoghi Effendi 
feels that if you intend to publish a new edition you would do 
well to keep it until you are through with it, but if you already 
have many copies of the last issue and the Assembly does not 
intend to bring out a new edition in the near future, he wants 
you to send him the leaflet so as to be able to send it to America 
where he wants to have it translated into Hebrew and other 
languages.  At any case he wants you to send him a copy of it or 
the original as soon as possible.  
     Our Guardian has been very glad to receive a wire of late 
from &Baghdad telling him that everything was hopeful.  As yet 
we do not have any particulars but we trust that we can soon 
regain our rights in the houses.  It is perhaps very fortunate that 
the High Commissioner himself will be in &Baghdad and will be 
able to help us very much....  
     P.S.  With regard to the accent in the letter a in the 
transliteration of Persian names and words and the difficulty of 
the publishers in having a vertical mark, Shoghi Effendi feels 
that in case having the regular vertical mark means too much 
trouble and expense it would be justified to replace it by the 
horizontal dash on the a, but if the trouble and expense would 
 
+P47 
not be much, for the sake of uniformity throughout transliterations 
everywhere, it would be best to have the regular vertical 
mark.  

          [From the Guardian:] 
My dear fellow-worker, 
     I am sure you will understand, and explain my motive and reasons 
to dear Esslemont's relatives in connexion with the design of the tomb.  
Much as I love and esteem my departed friend, I feel I must pay due 
consideration to the general practice prevailing in Haifa and &Akka 
particularly as it is applied even to the resting places of the Master's 
nearest relations.  I will however follow the design as closely as it is 
consistent with simplicity, without altering in any way the shape and 
general outline presented by the architect.  Please assure his relatives of 
my keen desire to do everything possible that will enhance and preserve 
the memory of such a staunch and precious friend.  
                                                            Shoghi 
 
1 April 1926 
 
My dear Mr. Simpson, 
     Many thanks for your letter of Feb. 21, and I am so sorry I 
could not answer you earlier.  
     I am sending you enclosed the plan that you had sent and 
behind it I have marked the approximate prices of the plots.  You 
realise that the exact price cannot be determined because they 
fluctuate and various causes bring about this change in price.  For 
this reason I have given two figures one being the minimum and 
the other the maximum.  There are no probabilities that under 
any conditions the maximum and the minimum will change.  
However, I have sent you the price for the so called region rather 
than the individual plots, the latter being due to many reasons 
quite impossible.  
     Shoghi Effendi is quite well though as usual very busy with an 
overwhelmingly vast correspondence.  The family are all well 
and send you their love and best wishes....  

          [From the Guardian:] 
My esteemed and valued friend:  
     I understand from your recent cable to me that Miss ... has at last 
complied with my request and written the London Assembly 
acknowledging their authority.  I have immediately cabled you my 
 
+P48 
heartfelt appreciation of her act.  If that is the case I wish to urge you 
and the London Council to exercise the utmost care, consideration and 
vigilance that this new step taken in the right direction may gradually 
lead to a definite solution of this painful problem.  I am as usual terribly 
overwhelmed with my unceasing work and this cable of yours has been 
a most welcome relief.  I have received your letter dated Feb. 7.  I am 
returning one of the leaflets for future publication in London.  I wish 
to remind you of the necessity of close co-operation on the part of the 
English National Spiritual Assembly with `La nova Tago' published 
in Hamburg.  
                                                            Shoghi 
 
11 April 1926 
 
My dear &Baha'i Brother, 
     I thank you very much indeed on behalf of our dear Guardian 
for your kind letters of March 29th and 31st.  
     The news of the reconciliation of ... with the National 
Assembly has been the source of immeasurable joy to the heart 
of Shoghi Effendi and he appreciates the spirit of both parties in 
trying to forget all past misunderstandings and in starting anew 
with genuine love and goodwill.  This has relieved Shoghi 
Effendi of a very heavy weight of thought and distress and this 
itself gives you as much satisfaction as it does to us all.  
     Shoghi Effendi has gladly received the names of the elected 
body for the London Assembly and he wishes them all success 
from the bottom of his heart.  That they may all help to vindicate 
still more strongly the great claim of our dear Cause in England, 
that they may succeed to increase daily the numbers of earnest 
&Baha'i workers and that they may mirror forth the great spirit 
of our beloved Master, is the fondest hope and the fervent prayer 
of our dear Guardian.  
     As I write you these lines we are all sorely distressed with the 
ghastly news of the martyrdom of twelve &Baha'is in one of the 
towns of southern Persia....  

          [From the Guardian:] 
My dear and valued friend:  
     I have received with feelings of deep satisfaction the welcome news 
of ... compliance with my request.  I wish to impress upon all those 
who come in contact with her the necessity of exercising forbearance, 
 
+P49 
kindness and loving consideration while adhering closely to the 
established principles of the Cause.  I will inform you if any action is 
necessary regarding the martyrdom in Jahrum in Southern Persia--
a monstrous crime that has deeply afflicted us all.  Concerning the 
membership of the Spiritual Assembly, I have already communicated 
with America to the effect that the members who are entitled to vote 
must be strictly limited to nine.  Additional members may attend only 
in a consultative capacity.  I realise fully the delicacy and difficulty of 
your position but it must be made clear to all that nine and only nine 
can vote.  All other subsidiary matters are left to the Assemblies.  
                                    Lovingly, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
11 April 1926+F1  
 
     I gratefully acknowledge the receipt of the sum of seventeen pounds 
from my dear friends the &Baha'is of England as their much appreciated 
contribution for the purchase of land around the Holy Shrines on Mt. 
Carmel.  
                                                            Shoghi 
 
22 April 1926+F2  
 
To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful 
throughout the West. 
 
Fellow-labourers in the Divine Vineyard:  
     In the midst of the many vicissitudes which the creative Word of 
God is destined to encounter in the course of its onward march towards 
the redemption of the world, there breaks upon us the news of still 
another loss, more bewildering in its character, yet more inspiring in 
its challenge, than any of the gravest happenings of recent times.  Once 
again the woeful tale of unabated persecution, involving this time the 
martyrdom of twelve of our long-suffering brethren in Jahrum, 
southern Persia, has reached our ears, and filled us with a gloom which 
all the joys and ennobling memories of &Ridvan have failed to dispel.  
 
+F1 This is the first example of a receipt from the Guardian.  A few such 
+F1 receipts appear in this book as they illustrate his meticulous attention to 
+F1 detail.  They do not, however, represent the total contributions made by 
+F1 members of the British &Baha'i community during the thirty-five years 
+F1 covered by the book.  
+F2 Printed also in "&Baha'i Administration."  
 
+P50 
     From the meagre reports which have thus far been received from 
that distracted country it appears that this shameful and atrocious act, 
though the outcome of a number of obscure and complex causes, has 
been chiefly instigated by that ever-present factor of fierce and relentless 
impulse of religious hostility.  Persia--long-neglected and sorely-tried--
continues, despite the revival of recent hopes, to be the down-trodden 
victim of unscrupulous personal rivalries and factious intrigue, 
of tribal revolt, political dissensions and religious animosities--all of 
which have in times past brought in their wake the shedding of the 
blood of so many of its innocent and choicest sons.  
     Fully alive to the gravity of the occasion, and realising the urgency 
of my sacred duty, I have, upon the receipt of the news, transmitted 
telegraphically through the National Spiritual Assembly of the &Baha'is 
of Persia a special message addressed in the name of the &Baha'is in 
every land to the supreme Authority in the State, expressing our 
profound horror at this outrageous act as well as our earnest entreaty 
to inflict immediate punishment on the perpetrators of so abominable 
a crime.  And as this sad event involved chiefly the welfare and security 
of the &Baha'i residents in Persia, I have specially requested all local 
Assemblies in that land to address a similar message to the highest 
authorities concerned appealing for full protection and justice.  Should 
future developments necessitate direct and foreign intervention, I shall 
acquaint the national &Baha'i representatives in every land to take in 
cooperation with all local Assemblies such measures as will effectually 
conduce to a fuller recognition of the dynamic force latent in the &Baha'i 
Faith and ensure the betterment of the lot of the heroic supporters of 
our Cause.  
     Pending the opening of official and direct communication with 
recognised authorities whether in Persia or elsewhere, I strongly feel 
that the time has assuredly come when it is incumbent upon every 
conscientious promoter of the Cause to bestir himself and undertake in 
consultation with the friends in his locality such measures of publicity 
as will lead to the gradual awakening of the conscience of the civilised 
world to what is admittedly an ignominious manifestation of a 
decadent age.  
     I would specially request all National Assemblies to give their 
anxious and immediate consideration to this grave matter, and to 
devise ways and means that will secure the fullest publicity to our 
grievances.  I would remind them that whatever is published should be 
couched in terms that are at once correct, forceful and inoffensive.  I 
 
+P51 
would particularly stress the importance of making every effort to 
secure the sympathy and hospitality of the leading journals and 
periodicals of the Western world, and of sending to the Holy Land any 
such references in papers that will arise to champion the cause of 
Righteousness and Justice.  I greatly deplore the fact that owing to the 
remoteness and the unstable conditions in Persia, details and particulars 
regarding this ugly incident are not as yet available, but will be duly 
communicated to the various centres immediately upon their receipt.  
I would however ask the believers throughout the West to arise 
without any further delay and supplement the publication of the news 
conveyed in this message with an account of previous happenings of 
a similar character, combined with an adequate survey of the aim, the 
principles, and history of the &Baha'i Cause.  
     It is to you, dearly beloved friends of the West, who are the 
standard-bearers of the emancipation and triumph of the &Baha'i Faith, 
that our afflicted brethren of the East have turned their expectant eyes, 
confident that the day cannot be far-distant when, in accordance with 
&Abdu'l-Baha's explicit utterance, the West will "seize the Cause" 
from Persia's fettered hands and lead it to glorious victory.  
     Though grief-stricken and horrified at this cruel blow, let us be on 
our guard lest we give way to despair, lest we forget that in the 
Almighty's inscrutable Wisdom this sudden calamity may prove to be 
but a blessing in disguise.  For what else can it do but to stir the inmost 
depths of our souls, set our faith ablaze, galvanise our efforts, dissolve 
our differences, and provide one of the chief instruments which the 
unhampered promoters of the Faith can utilise to attract the attention, 
enlist the sympathy, and eventually win the allegiance of all mankind?  
     Ours is this supreme opportunity; may we fulfil our trust.  
                                    Your true brother, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
11 May 1926+F1  
 
To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful
throughout the West.  
 
Dearly beloved brothers and sisters in &Abdu'l-Baha!  
     Grave and manifold as are the problems confronting the struggling 
Faith of &Baha'u'llah, none appear more significant nor seem more 
 
+F1 Printed also in "&Baha'i Administration".  
 
+P52 
compelling in their urgency than the incredible sufferings borne so 
heroically by our down-trodden brethren of the East.  Recent reports 
confirming the news which I have lately communicated to you have all 
emphasised the barbarous severity practised on the innocent followers 
of our Cause.  They reveal the possibility of the extension of this 
agitation, partly instigated for political purposes and selfish motives, 
to neighbouring towns and provinces, and dwell upon the traditional 
slackness of the local authorities to inflict prompt and severe punishment 
upon all the perpetrators of such abominable crimes.  It has been 
ascertained that in the town of Jahrum women have suffered 
martyrdom in a most atrocious manner, that the knife of the criminal 
has mercilessly cut to pieces the body of a child, that a number have 
been severely beaten and injured, their bodies mutilated, their homes 
pillaged, their property confiscated, and the homeless remnants of their 
family abandoned to the mercy of a shameless and tyrannical people.  
In other parts of Persia, and particularly in the province of 
&Adhirbayjan, in the town of &Maraghih, the friends have been pitilessly 
denied the civic rights and privileges extended to every citizen of the 
land.  They have been refused the use of the public bath, and been 
denied access to such shops as provide the necessities of life.  They have 
been declared deprived of the benefit and protection of the law, and all 
association and dealing with them denounced as a direct violation of 
the precepts and principles of &Islam.  It has even been authoritatively 
stated that the decencies of public interment have been refused to their 
dead, and that in a particular case every effort to induce the Moslem 
undertaker to provide the wood for the construction of the coffin failed 
to secure the official support of the authorities concerned.  Every appeal 
made by these harassed &Baha'is on behalf of their brethren, whether 
living or dead, has been met with cold indifference, with vague 
promises, and not infrequently with severe rebuke and undeserved 
chastisement.  
     The tale of such outrageous conduct, such widespread suffering and 
loss, if properly expressed and broadcast, cannot fail in the end to 
arouse the conscience of civilised mankind, and thereby secure the 
much-needed relief for a long-suffering people.  I would, therefore, 
renew my plea, and request you most earnestly to redouble your efforts 
in the wide field of publicity, to devise every possible means that will 
alleviate the fears and sorrows of the silent sufferers in that distracted 
country.  
     Surely these vile wrong-doers cannot long remain unpunished for 
 
+P53 
their ferocious atrocities, and the day may not be far distant when we 
shall witness, as we have observed elsewhere, the promised signs of 
Divine Retribution avenging the blood of the slaughtered servants of 
&Baha'u'llah.  
                                    Your true brother, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
20 May 1926 
 
My dear Mr. Simpson, 
     I thank you on behalf of Shoghi Effendi for your letter of May 
8th.  
     He was very glad indeed to learn the names of the newly 
elected London Spiritual Assembly and he wishes them success 
from the bottom of his heart.  He earnestly trusts that throughout 
the coming year they will succeed to give a fresh impetus to the 
progress of the Cause in England and will not be satisfied with 
only mediocre efforts and endeavours.  
     With regard to the election of the Assemblies and your desire 
to have substitutes in order to ensure a steady and easy-to-obtain 
quorum for business, Shoghi Effendi would not like to give you 
any further special regulations but would prefer you to 
communicate with America and follow the method they have 
adopted.  He has a keen desire that uniformity should exist in the 
regulations.  I am sure you would gladly communicate with Mr. 
Horace Holley on the subject.  
     He is so gratified that the case of ... is settled permanently and 
he hopes that in future no such petty misunderstandings will 
come in the way of the steady growth of the Movement, which 
is of the utmost necessity not only in England but throughout 
the world.  
     Shoghi Effendi is well but as usual very busy.  The recent 
atrocities in Persia have been a source of deep grief to his 
heart....  

          [From the Guardian:] 
My dear fellow-worker, 
     In order to avoid misunderstandings and confusion and ensure 
uniformity of method and action I have requested you to conform to the 
 
+P54 
principle adopted by the American friends and Mr. Holley will inform 
you of the method they pursue.  I realise the special and peculiar 
difficulties that prevail in London and the nature of the obstacles with 
which they are confronted.  I feel however that an earnest effort should 
be made to overcome them and that the members must arrange their 
affairs in such a way as to ensure their prompt attendance at 9 
meetings which are held in the course of the year.  This surely is not an 
insurmountable obstacle.  
     I will remember their needs and difficulties in my prayers at the 
Holy Shrines and will continue to supplicate for them Divine guidance 
and blessings.  
                                                            Shoghi 
 
28 June 1926 
 
Dear Mr. Simpson, 
     Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your 
letter dated June 22nd, 1926.  He is most appreciative of the 
many and continuous services you are rendering to the Cause in 
that land.  Your efficiency, sincerity and untiring zeal are great 
assets for the friends in England....  
     Shoghi Effendi fully approves of your suggestion to put a 
royalty on the translations of Dr. Esslemont's book equal to what 
he had arranged for the original.  Not only is that a fair thing to 
do but also it is incumbent upon us to show our appreciation of 
Dr. Esslemont's services to the Cause by safeguarding the interests 
of his family, especially as his wife is an invalid and in need of 
help.  Shoghi Effendi specially wants me to ask you to show 
utmost consideration to her interests.  

          [From the Guardian:] 
My dear fellow-worker, 
     I hope you will assure Mrs. Esslemont on my behalf and express to 
her my warm approval of your suggestion which would safeguard her 
interests and prove of some assistance to her....  
     Assuring you of my earnest prayers for your continued and 
unsparing efforts for the promotion of the Cause you serve so well, 
                                    I am your grateful brother, 
                                                            Shoghi 
 
+P55 
16 July 1926 
 
Dear Mr. Simpson, 
     This is to acknowledge the receipt of your letter to Shoghi 
Effendi dated June 20, 1926.  He is very thankful for what you 
are trying to do for the friends in Persia.  I hope the efforts of the 
whole western friends combined will alleviate this great burden 
which rests upon them, and at least give them the peace and 
comfort which they have been for so long desiring.  
     As to the translation or rather revision of the translation of the 
"Hidden Words".  A year ago, I believe, the American friends 
wrote to Shoghi Effendi and asked him to do it.  Complying 
with their wish he revised his translation and they have published 
it both in paper and leather bound.  Shoghi Effendi believes that 
another edition in England will be useless and perhaps will not 
find the necessary market.  You could buy from America all the 
copies you need.  Nevertheless, if you want to have a new English 
edition you can procure a copy from America.  Shoghi Effendi 
does not believe it necessary to give it a still other revision....  

          [From the Guardian:] 
My dear and able friend, 
     I am in correspondence with Rev. Townshend+ in connexion with 
various alterations in my rendering of the Hidden Words.  I have just 
received his second letter containing suggestions which I greatly 
appreciate and value.  I am hoping to revise it for a third time after my 
correspondence with Mr. T. is over.  I feel you can postpone it for the 
present.  I hope and pray you will succeed in giving wide and effective 
publicity to the atrocities perpetrated in Persia, in the British Press.  It 
is so necessary and important.  We must at all costs capture the heights 
and the British friends have in this connexion a unique and splendid 
opportunity in their own country and amid their own people.  Difficult 
though it be we must persevere and not relax in our efforts.  What 
Martha+F1 has achieved is a great incentive and example.  Your own 
splendid efforts are deeply and lovingly appreciated by me.  
                                                            Shoghi 
 
+F1 Martha Root.  
 
+P56 
17 October 1926+F1  
 
To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful 
throughout the West.  
 
Dearly-beloved brothers and sisters in &Abdu'l-Baha!  
     In the course of the few months that have elapsed since my last 
communication to you regarding the appalling circumstances that have 
culminated in the martyrdom of our Persian brethren in Jahrum, 
events of the highest importance to the future welfare of our beloved 
Cause have transpired, and with startling suddenness conferred abiding 
solace upon those who still have to face the pains and terrors of 
unmitigated and shameless tyranny.  
     You have, most of you I presume, read with thrilling joy in one of 
the recent issues of the "Star of the West" that illuminating account 
given by our beloved sister, Miss Martha Root, wherein she tells with 
her characteristic directness and modesty the story of her moving 
interview with Her Majesty Queen Marie of Rumania and of the 
cordial and ready response which her gentle yet persuasive presentation 
of the principles of the &Baha'i Faith has evoked in the heart of that 
honoured Queen.  One of the visible and potent effects which this 
historic interview proved capable of achieving was the remarkable 
appeal in the form of an open letter which Her Majesty freely and 
spontaneously caused to be published to the world at large testifying in 
a language of exquisite beauty to the power and sublimity of the 
Message of &Baha'u'llah.  
     It was indeed a never-to-be-forgotten occasion when, on the eve of 
the day commemorating the passing of &Baha'u'llah, a handful of us, 
His sorrowing servants, had gathered round His beloved Shrine 
supplicating relief and deliverance for the down-trodden in Persia, to 
receive in the midst of the silence of that distressing hour the glad-tiding 
of this notable triumph which the unbending energy and 
indomitable spirit of our beloved Martha has achieved for our sacred 
Cause.  
     With bowed heads and grateful hearts we recognise in this glowing 
tribute which Royalty has thus paid to the Cause of &Baha'u'llah an 
epoch-making pronouncement destined to herald those stirring events 
which, as &Abdu'l-Baha has prophesied, shall in the fullness of time 
signalise the triumph of God's holy Faith.  For who can doubt but that 
the deeds of those valiant pioneers of the Faith, unexampled though 
 
+F1 Printed also in "&Baha'i Administration".  
 
+P57 
they have been in the abundance of their number and unexcelled in 
their sublime heroism, are but a faint glimmer of what, according to the 
Di