Arohanui: Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand Part 12

_Dearly beloved co-worker:_

_I wish to a.s.sure you of my deepest appreciation of your constant and manifold services to the Faith, and particularly of the share you have had in consolidating its administrative inst.i.tutions in both Australia and New Zealand, whether local or national. My prayers will continue to be offered from the bottom of my heart for you and for your dear co-workers.

Persevere and never feel disheartened._

_Your true brother, _ _ Shoghi_

(45) September 26th, 1935

Beloved Baha'i co-worker,

...In connection with the N.S.A.'s(8) decision regarding the appointment of Mrs. Axford and Mr. Inman to keep records of Australian and New-Zealand activities for the "Baha'i World"; the Guardian wishes you to a.s.sure your fellow-members in the a.s.sembly that he fully endorses their choice. He also wishes you to impress the newly-appointed correspondents with the vital importance of their task, and to urge them to acquit themselves of it with thoroughness, efficiency and vigour....

(Extract from "Letters from the Guardian to Australia and New Zealand 19231957". p. 10. Published by The National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Australia Incorporated, 1970.)

(46) April 26th, 1936

Beloved Baha'i Sister,

I am directed by the Guardian to thank you for your letter of the 30th March informing him of the date of Miss Kitty Carpenter's arrival in Port-Said. You can be sure that the friends will be most delighted to meet her, and to render her journey to Haifa as safe and comfortable as possible.

The Guardian himself is eagerly looking forward to the pleasure of meeting her, and cherishes the hope that through this pilgrimage she may receive a renewed stimulus to better work for the promotion of the Faith upon her return home....

(Extract, ibid., p. 13)

(47) June 10th, 1936

Dear Baha'i Sister,

...The Guardian would also advise that the local a.s.semblies take a similar step, and obtain official recognition from the authorities. In case the Auckland a.s.sembly has been registered in the government, will you be so kind as to send him photostatic reproductions of any registration papers or doc.u.ments that the Auckland friends may have obtained from the authorities, as he wishes to have them published in the next "Baha'i World"....

(Extract, ibid., p. 14)

(48) November 17th, 1936

Dear Baha'i Sister,

On behalf of the Guardian I acknowledge with deepest thanks the receipt of your letter of the 17th October, and wish also to thank your a.s.sembly for forwarding to him the photostatic reproduction of the registration certificate of the a.s.sembly of Auckland....

(Extract, ibid., p. 18)

(49) January 31st, 1938

Dear Baha'i Sister,

The Guardian wishes me to express his loving thanks for your letter of the third instant, enclosing the half-yearly reports of the Perth and Auckland Spiritual a.s.semblies, all of which he has been delighted to read.

He wishes you to write the Auckland a.s.sembly a.s.suring them of his approval of the request they have made on behalf of Miss Kitty Carpenter for permission to visit Haifa. He has every hope that through this pilgrimage she will be greatly refreshed and strengthened spiritually, and will upon her return home impart to the friends in New-Zealand some measure of the inspiration she will gain through close contact with the Holy Shrines....

(Extract, ibid., p. 24)

(50) November 2nd, 1938

Dear Baha'i Sister,

...The Guardian wishes me to express his gratification at the news of the enrolment of three new members in the Sydney Baha'i group, and of two others in the Auckland community. He will pray that these new believers may continue deepening in their faith, and in their understanding of the Teachings, and that each of them may arise and lend every a.s.sistance in his power to the further expansion and firmer consolidation of the Faith in that far-off continent....

(Extract, ibid., p. 28)

(51) March 22nd, 1939

Dear Baha'i Brothers and Sisters,

The Guardian wishes me to gratefully acknowledge the receipt of your card conveying to him your a.s.sembly's greetings for Naw-Ruz, and to a.s.sure you how deeply he feels appreciative of the renewed expressions of love which you had felt prompted to transmit to him on such a happy and blessed occasion.

He immeasurably values indeed your sentiments, and wishes me to take this opportunity of a.s.suring your a.s.sembly, and all the members of the Auckland Baha'i Community, of his ardent prayers for the further extension of the Faith, and its firmer consolidation in your centre, and for the spiritual advancement and welfare of each and every member of your group. May this new Baha'i Year we have just entered witness a fresh intensification of the spirit of service in the heart of each one of you, and lead you to scale still n.o.bler heights of service and sacrifice in your stewards.h.i.+p to the Cause.

Reciprocating your kind greetings and with all good wishes for a happy Naw-Ruz.

Yours in His Service, H. Rabbani