High Endeavours: Messages to Alaska Part 16

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

(60) March 18, 1952

(60) March 18, 1952

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your most interesting gift has been received, through the kindness of Leroy Ioas, and it is deeply appreciated. I thank you for the thought as well as the gift.

These are busy days in Haifa with the many pilgrims who are coming and going. The news of the rapid growth of the Faith in various lands is very inspiring, and the pilgrims leave the Holy Land for their posts with a new determination to play n.o.bly their parts.

With warm Baha'i love, Ruhiyyih

P.S. I should also say the beloved Guardian appreciated very much the Eskimo things.

(61) September 17, 1952

(61) September 17, 1952

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your letter of August 5th has been received by the beloved Guardian and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

As the Guardian is very busy indeed these days, the answer will be brief.

Your plan to return to Alaska makes him very happy indeed. He attaches the greatest importance to Alaska, and it will become increasingly important in the future. Therefore, he urges you by all means to return to that land, and there lend your valuable a.s.sistance in the service of Baha'u'llah.

The Guardian a.s.sures you your dedication and service to the Faith are very deeply appreciated.

With warm Baha'i greetings, R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved reward you bountifully for your splendid labours, guide and sustain you always, and enable you to win great and memorable victories in the days to come.

Your true brother, Shoghi

(62) March 29, 1953

(62) March 29, 1953

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your loving letter of February 14th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has asked me to acknowledge it on his behalf.

The contribution which you have made to the Shrine of the Bab is very greatly appreciated. Receipt is enclosed herewith.

The work on the dome of the Shrine is going forward quite satisfactorily.

The brim of the dome has been finished. As additional units of the building are completed, it adds to the stateliness of the entire structure, and permits one to realize how beautiful it is going to be.

The Guardian very deeply appreciates the wonderful work you are doing in connection with the spread of the Faith.

The Eskimo booklet which you submitted for his approval he feels should be submitted to the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of the United States for their review. The reason for this is that they are closely in touch with the teaching work, and therefore well qualified to decide just what should and what should not be included in such a pamphlet.

He hopes you and Frances Wells will work very closely with the National Spiritual a.s.sembly in connection with this important service.

The Guardian is extremely anxious that the Eskimos be brought into the Faith. He values very highly indeed the very wonderful services rendered by Mrs. Wells. He feels that she has sacrificed very deeply in order to carry the light of guidance to the seeking peoples of the world, particularly in Alaska, and now with the Eskimos. You may be sure the Guardian will pray for her spiritual success and her spiritual happiness.

The Guardian will likewise be very happy to pray for Mrs. Hadley Ferguson of Fairbanks, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Greene, Mr. and Mrs. L.E. Pirkey, Mrs.

Perry Bane, and Dr. Saul Mackoff.

The Guardian has communicated with the National Spiritual a.s.sembly with regard to the efforts being made by yourself and Mrs. Wells as well as others in connection with the introduction of the Faith amongst the Eskimos, asking them to render every possible a.s.sistance to this most important work. It is impossible to let you know how important the Guardian feels the introduction of the Faith amongst the Eskimos is at this particular time.

With warm Baha'i greetings, Leroy Ioas a.s.sistant Secretary

P.S.-The draft of your pamphlet is being sent direct to the National Spiritual a.s.sembly.

(63) December 7, 1953

(63) December 7, 1953

All Pioneers:

Dearly Beloved Friends,

The beloved Guardian sends you his loving greetings, and he a.s.sures you of his prayers in your behalf.

You will be most happy to know that at this time there is only one country, Chagos Archipelago, which has not been a.s.signed to a settler, outside of the countries which are under Iron Curtain influence. More pioneers are arriving at their posts daily, so that at the present time, 71 of the new countries of the Crusade have been opened to the Faith.

You are now the representative of the Faith in your area, and the beloved Guardian feels a.s.sured that you will arise to the great opportunity that has come to you, to become the one to quicken the souls in your virgin territory and become the spiritual conqueror of that new land. The Guardian realizes you will have many problems and difficulties, but he urges you to persevere under all circ.u.mstances; not to become disheartened in any way, but relying solely upon Baha'u'llah and His quickening Spirit, arise at once to carry forward the teaching work.

The Guardian makes the following suggestions with regard to teaching in virgin areas, at this critical time: