[Letter of December 27, 1956]
The beloved Guardian feels the time is ripe for the settlement of the Northern Island of j.a.pan, and he wishes your a.s.sembly to consider what might be done to accomplish this before the coming Ridvan without in any way interfering with the work now engaged in, in connection with the establishment of the new National a.s.sembly next Ridvan.
There are three tasks which the new National a.s.sembly should undertake, when it is formed, and that is the sending of pioneers into Sakhalin Island, and Hainan Island; also the extension of the teaching work in the Northern Island (Hokkaido) of j.a.pan. If no settlers are in the Northern Island, then they should undertake to send some in as quickly as possible.
Will you please actively consider the settlement now of the Northern Island; also pa.s.s on to the new N.S.A. the three tasks the Guardian feels they should undertake promptly.
(December 27, 1956)
To the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of Australia
[Letter of July 19, 1957]
...The emergence of a new Regional Spiritual a.s.sembly in the North Pacific Area(34), with its seat fixed in the capital city of a country which by reason of its innate capacity and the spiritual receptivity it has acquired, in consequence of the severe and prolonged ordeal its entire population has providentially experienced, is destined to have a preponderating share in awakening the peoples and races inhabiting the entire Pacific area, to the Message of Baha"u"llah, and to act as the Vanguard of His hosts in their future spiritual conquest of the main body of the yellow race on the Chinese mainland-the emergence of such an a.s.sembly may be said to have, at long last established a spiritual axis, extending from the Antipodes to the northern islands of the Pacific Ocean-an axis whose northern and southern poles will act as powerful magnets, endowed with exceptional spiritual potency, and towards which younger and less experienced communities will tend for some time to gravitate.
A responsibility, at once weighty and inescapable, must rest on the communities which occupy so privileged a position in so vast and turbulent an area of the globe. However great the distance that separates them; however much they differ in race, language, custom, and religion; however active the political forces which tend to keep them apart and foster racial and political antagonisms, the close and continued a.s.sociation of these communities in their common, their peculiar and paramount task of raising up and of consolidating the embryonic World Order of Baha"u"llah in those regions of the globe, is a matter of vital and urgent importance, which should receive on the part of the elected representatives of their communities, a most earnest and prayerful consideration...
May this community(35) which, with its sister community in the North, has had the inestimable privilege of being called into being in the lifetime of, and through the operation of the dynamic forces released by the Center of Baha"u"llah"s Covenant continue, with undimmed vision, with redoubled vigour, and unwavering fidelity and constancy, to discharge its manifold and ever increasing duties and responsibilities, and lend, as the days go by, an impetus such as it has not lent before, in the course of almost two score years of its existence, to the propagation of the Faith it has so whole-heartedly espoused and is now so valiantly serving, and play a memorable and distinctive part in hastening the establishment, and in ensuring the gradual efflorescence and ultimate fruition, of its divinely appointed embryonic World Order.
(July 19, 1957)
To the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of Iran
[Letter of January 6, 1957]
Regarding pioneers going to j.a.pan, Brazil ... and other places, the beloved Guardian states that they must not gather in one place but scatter to make new centers, e.g., Mr. a.s.sa.s.si and his wife, and Mr. Labib who travelled to j.a.pan must not stay in Tokyo but should go to places where there are no Baha"is, or very few Baha"is to make new centers. Furthermore (he) says that the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of Iran must write to all pioneers that have left Iran for other parts of the world and instruct them not to gather in one place but to scatter in different places. He says that the matter stated above is very important... (translated from the original Persian)
(signed by Dr. Hakim)
(January 6, 1957)
To Local Spiritual a.s.semblies, 19481957
[Letter of September 21, 1948]
To the Local Spiritual a.s.sembly of Tokyo
To know that a Spiritual a.s.sembly of all j.a.panese members was formed in Tokyo greatly inspired him (the Guardian). This is a historic and wonderful achievement. At present it might seem to people of the world that these few devoted souls are insignificant when compared to the millions of people residing in j.a.pan-but we who have recognized the Power of Baha"u"llah, and that His teaching is G.o.d"s Message to men in this day, know that the seed of the Tree of Life has at last germinated in your land, and that it will grow to overshadow all those who dwell in the islands of j.a.pan.
The love of the j.a.panese people, for truth and beauty is very great, and our Guardian feels sure that gradually many souls will become attracted to the Cause of G.o.d through your persevering and devoted labours.
Your loyalty and determination touches him deeply, and he a.s.sures you all that for each one of you he will pray for guidance and blessings. He urges you to work together for the Cause as one soul in different bodies, and show by your love and unity what a force lies in our Faith for the regeneration of mankind.
(signed by R. Rabbani)
(in the Guardian"s handwriting)
Dear and valued co-workers:
I was thrilled by your message and I greatly value the sentiments it expressed. I urge you to persevere and be confident, and labour unitedly for the spread of the Faith and the formation of new centres, however small, in the vicinity of your capital. I will, from all my heart, supplicate for you Divine guidance and blessings, that your historic work may flourish, your numbers increase and your highest hopes be fulfilled in the service of His glorious Faith.
Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi
(September 21, 1948)
[Letter of December 20, 1951]
The beloved Guardian has received your letter, so beautifully written in j.a.panese, and which he regrets very much he could not read in the original.
He very deeply appreciated the contribution the Baha"is of j.a.pan have made for the Shrine of the Bab; and I am enclosing a receipt herein for the sum you mentioned in your letter, ten thousand yen.
The sentiments expressed by the Baha"is of j.a.pan touched him very deeply; and he feels that the contribution they have made to the Shrine enriches its spiritual significance for all of us, coming, as it does, from believers in the Bab, our beloved Martyr-Prophet, who reside in a land so far away, and yet are filled with such great love and devotion for, not only the Bab Himself, but for the Faith He heralded.
The Guardian is most happy over the progress being made in j.a.pan; and he wants you to know that his loving thoughts are with you, and you are mentioned often in his prayers in the Holy Shrines.
(signed by R. Rabbani)
(in the Guardian"s handwriting)
May the Beloved bless you, sustain and guide you, reward you for your meritorious labours, and aid you to win great victories in the service of His Faith.
Your true brother, Shoghi
(December 20, 1951)