The Unfolding Destiny of the British Bahai Community Part 86

During the past year, a great deal has been accomplished by the friends in their efforts to disperse from the large centres of population in order to build up the goal cities and establish new centres. However, we have not accomplished a great deal in the way of increasing the number of Baha'is, nor the number of Spiritual a.s.semblies.

The beloved Guardian sincerely hopes you will make it a point of major study and consideration on the part of your a.s.sembly, so that the entire community may lend itself to the accomplishment of this great goal during the coming year. Foundations must be laid for many more a.s.semblies. The friends must disperse from the large centres of population. Our teaching work must become so sanctified and penetrating that many, many souls will be confirmed. The friends should go forward on this great task in a very determined manner in order to establish as many new a.s.semblies during the coming year as are possible.

In letters which have come to the beloved Guardian, he has noted the friends feel there is no need to establish new a.s.semblies until 1963.

The Ten Year Crusade ends in 1963; but as many of the goals should be won as quickly as possible. It should certainly be clear to all of the friends that we cannot hold off on winning the various goals of our tasks until the last year of the Crusade. They should be won just as quickly as possible. Furthermore, there are many tasks of the Crusade which the Guardian is not launching until preliminary goals have been won. For instance, it would be impossible to establish National a.s.semblies in all of the areas proposed until there are more Baha'is, more Groups and more a.s.semblies in those countries. On the home front, further tasks are dependent upon the winning of victories now. The Guardian hopes the keynote of the teaching work on the home front during the current year will be the dispersion of the friends on an unprecedented scale, and the winning of as many a.s.semblies as is possible....

Letter of 9 April 1955

9 April 1955

URGENTLY APPEAL HIGH MINDED DEVOTED BELIEVERS BRITISH ISLES EXERT SUPREME EFFORT FILL GAPS a.s.sEMBLIES DEMONSTRATE ABILITY MAINTAIN STANDARD HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENTS FERVENTLY PRAYING SUCCESS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 20 April 1955

20 April 1955

Dear John:

In order not to keep the a.s.sembly waiting for an answer, the beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you this letter in reply to yours of April 15th.

The principle is wherever the Baha'i laws at the present time conflict with the civil law of the country, the believers living in it must obey the civil law.

The Baha'is in England, as regards divorce will consequently have to follow British law, and in conjunction with this, as far as possible, uphold the Baha'i law of divorce as well. The way the details of this are to be worked out is left entirely to the discretion of your National a.s.sembly....

Letter of 21 April 1955

21 April 1955(83)

DELIGHTED LOVING APPRECIATION. REGRET FORMATION NICOSIA a.s.sEMBLY IMPOSSIBLE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 24 April 1955

24 April 1955

Dear Baha'i Friends:

The beloved Guardian has been greatly enthused the last few days with the reports that have been received of new a.s.semblies established in virgin areas. Of great importance and significance is the word that Spiritual a.s.semblies have been established in Mogadiscio, in Italian Somaliland and Djibouti in French Somaliland. This leaves the only Somaliland without an a.s.sembly as British Somaliland. The beloved Guardian would appreciate your a.s.sembly giving consideration to this matter, to see if there is any way that a pioneer could go from England to British Somaliland, to firmly establish the Faith there. He understands fully the problems involved.

A copy of this letter is being sent to Mr. Banani, Hand of the Cause, so that he might give consideration to the possibility of having some native Baha'is from Uganda move to British Somaliland, and either teach or settle there.

The beloved Guardian a.s.sures your a.s.sembly of his prayers on your behalf.

He sends you his loving greetings....

Letter of 25 April 1955 (Convention)

25 April 1955 (Convention)

DEEPLY APPRECIATE CONVENTION MESSAGE. APPEAL DELEGATES URGE ALL COMMUNITIES BRITISH ISLES CONCENTRATE ATTENTION ENERGIES INTENSIFICATION TEACHING ACTIVITIES MULTIPLICATION CENTRES STRENGTHENING ALLOTTED NEWLY-OPENED TERRITORIES INCORPORATION a.s.sEMBLIES ESTABLISHMENT NATIONAL ENDOWMENT PRAYING FERVENTLY ATTAINMENT OBJECTIVES COURSE SECOND LAST YEAR SECOND PHASE TEN YEAR PLAN.

SHOGHI

Letter of 28 April 1955

28 April 1955

REJOICE SPLENDID INITIATIVE a.s.sEMBLED REPRESENTATIVES VALIANT BRITISH BAHa'i COMMUNITY ARDENTLY PRAYING FULFILMENT FONDEST HOPES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 22 May 1955

22 May 1955

CONSIDER CARDIFF MAINTAINED.

SHOGHI