Arohanui: Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand Part 13

(52) April 19th, 1941

Dear Baha'i friends,

...He was very sorry to learn that Miss Stevenson has pa.s.sed on. He will pray for her joy and advancement in the Worlds beyond. She had the great honour and blessing of being the first New-Zealand believer and her reward must be great....

[From the Guardian:]

_Dear and valued co-workers:_

_...The pa.s.sing of yet another staunch and indefatigable worker, Miss Stevenson, const.i.tutes yet another loss to the believers in that continent. The work which that exemplary pioneer has achieved however is imperishable. Kindly a.s.sure her relatives of my deepfelt sympathy._

_Sh._

(Extract, ibid., pp. 38, 39)

(53) April 25th, 1941

Dear Baha'i friends:

Shoghi Effendi has instructed me to answer your Naw-Ruz greetings of the year 98.

He deeply appreciated your thought in sending him a message at such a time. The loving remembrance of the friends is dear to his heart in these heavy and sad times.

He a.s.sures you that the friends of Australia and New Zealand are often in his thoughts and prayers, and he is so pleased with the continued evidences of their devotion and services to the Cause of G.o.d.

With Baha'i greetings,

Yours in His Service, R. Rabbani

(54) April 18th, 1942

Dear Baha'i Sister:

...He was delighted to learn that the New Zealand members were able to make the trip to Australia, and that such a highly satisfactory N.S.A.

meeting was held, in such a spirit of love and harmony. No doubt this experience will prove of great value, not only to the National a.s.sembly, but also to the work of the Cause in the days to come....

(Extract, ibid., p. 45)

(55) May 12th, 1944

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your letters dated March 1st, 25th and March 21st--Baha'i Naw-Ruz greeting--have been received, and the Guardian has instructed me to answer them on his behalf.

He was very pleased indeed to hear that the Cause in New Zealand is not only steadily progressing but that it is winning such good friends as Rev.

Chandler. Also the preparations you are making for the Centenary should serve to not only publicise the Faith, but bring the believers closer to liberal-minded fellow-citizens.

He himself is at present frightfully busy with local preparations for the Centenary and with cables and correspondence--but he wishes you all to know that his thoughts will be with you on this glorious day of the 100th anniversary of the Bab's declaration, and he will pray for all the New Zealand Baha'is in the Holy Shrines.

With most loving greetings and best wishes from the Guardian for the success of all your plans.

Yours with Baha'i love, R. Rabbani

P.S. He appreciated very much your sending Naw-Ruz greetings.

[From the Guardian:]

_May the Beloved bless your efforts, guide your steps, sustain you in your devoted endeavours, and enable you to promote effectively the best interests of His Faith._

_Your true and grateful brother, _ _ Shoghi_

(56) December 18th, 1949

Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Auckland, N.Z.

Dear Baha'i friends:

Your letter of October 25th was received and our Guardian was delighted to hear the details of this property you have purchased, and which he trusts will grow to be a very important Baha'i endowment. He will be pleased to receive the pictures of it.

He felt that no name could be more befitting than that of dear father Dunn. May the spirit this wonderful soul exemplified stream forth from your school and quicken those Islands.

With Baha'i greetings, R. Rabbani

P.S. Since writing this letter yours of Nov. 29 has been received. He will certainly pray for the success of your Summer School sessions so soon to begin and for the speedy development of the new school property you have just purchased.

[From the Guardian:]

_May the Almighty bless bountifully your meritorious labours, guide and sustain you, at all times and under all circ.u.mstances, aid you to overcome every obstacle that confronts you and enable you to lend a tremendous impetus, in the days to come, to the progress of your historic work in that promising and far-away Island._