5 July 1935
He is very happy to learn of the beautiful meeting you have had in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lehne, and of the visit paid to the friends in Berlin by some of the believers from various parts of Northern Germany. He trusts that these warm and frequent contacts between these Northern Baha"i centers will be maintained and that as a result greater cooperation will prevail among them. He is praying from the very depth of his heart on behalf of you all, that your efforts for the promulgation of the Message may be continually enriched, guided and blessed through Divine confirmations.
In closing please convey the Guardian"s loving greetings to all the believers in Berlin, and particularly to dear Mr. and Mrs. Lehne who are contributing such a conspicuous share to the advancement of the Faith in their centre.
LETTER OF 3 AUGUST 1935
3 August 1935
He wishes me particularly to convey to you his most genuine appreciation of your services in connection with the publication of "La Nova Tago"
which he hopes will, through your efforts and those of the Esperanto-speaking Baha"is both in Germany and abroad, develop gradually into a leading Esperanto review, and thus become an effective medium for the spread of Teachings in Esperantist circles throughout the world. It is in view of the far-reaching possibilities which this publication can have as a teaching organ, that he has urged the German N.S.A. to resume its publication when, a few months ago, they had almost decided to discontinue printing it.
With regard to your request for a special article from the Guardian which you wish to have published in the forthcoming issue of your magazine. He would suggest that you should translate his general letter addressed to the friends a few years ago, ent.i.tled "The Goal of a New World Order", as this, he feels, is a very suitable material for publication in that review, and is by far better than anything he can write at present.
As to your suggestion regarding a more widespread use of the Esperanto among the Baha"is as a medium of correspondence. Shoghi Effendi, as you know, has been invariably encouraging the believers, both in the East and in the West, to make an intensive study of that language, and to consider it as an important medium for the spread of the Cause in international circles. He has been specially urging the friends to have the Cause well represented in all Esperanto Congresses and a.s.sociations, and by this means cultivate greater friendship and cooperation between them and the Esperantists.
But in this connection, he feels, he must make it clear that although the Cause views with much sympathy and appreciation the activities which the Esperantists are increasingly initiating for the spread of their language, yet it considers that the adoption of the Esperanto by the entire world is by no means an inevitable fact. Neither Baha"u"llah, nor even "Abdu"l-Baha, ever stated that Esperanto will be the international auxiliary language. The Master simply expressed the hope that it may, provided certain conditions were fulfilled, develop into such a medium.
LETTER OF 24 DECEMBER 1935
24 December 1935
...Baha"i Summer School at Esslingen. He is rejoiced to learn of the unprecedented success that has attended this meeting, and hopes that the next few years will witness still greater progress in that direction. The enthusiasm and devotion of the attendants const.i.tute, undoubtedly, a most remarkable a.s.set which will ensure the steady development of the school into one of the leading Baha"i educational inst.i.tutions throughout the world.
LETTER OF 25 JANUARY 1936(15)
25 January 1936
Shoghi Effendi ... is very pleased that you have at last found the opportunity of visiting the Holy Shrines. He wishes me therefore to extend to you, and also to Mrs. Muhlschlegel, a most cordial welcome, and to express the hope that through this visit you will receive a fresh and added stimulus and a wider vision in your labours for the Cause in Germany....
It is hoped that more friends will be encouraged to undertake a similar journey to the Holy Land in the near future....
[From the Guardian:]
a.s.suring you both of a hearty welcome, and wishing you always success in the service of our beloved Faith,
Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi
LETTER OF 26 JANUARY 1936
26 January 1936
The Esslingen Baha"i a.s.sembly
Dear Baha"i Friends,
On behalf of the Guardian I wish to acknowledge with deepest thanks and appreciation the receipt of your welcome message of the 18th instant.
He is, indeed, very happy to learn of the news of the progress of the Cause in Esslingen, and of the recent accomplishments of your a.s.sembly in that center. The improvements that you have made in the Baha"i Home will, undoubtedly, rejoice all the friends in Germany and will greatly encourage them to attend the next Summer School. He hopes that the believers outside Germany will also be attracted to your centre, and will thus contribute to the further growth and consolidation of your community.
The Guardian is continually supplicating on your behalf at the Holy Shrines, that Divine confirmations may strengthen and guide your a.s.sembly in the discharge of its heavy duties and responsibilities.
He will also remember all the other friends in Esslingen, and will ask the Almighty to bless and inspire them all in the service of His Cause.
With most loving greetings and best wishes for a happy and prosperous season...
[From the Guardian:]
Dearly-beloved friends:
Your message brought joy and imparted strength and hope to my heart. I deeply value your constancy, your devotion, your unremitting labours, your notable services to our beloved Faith. I will continue to pray that your numbers may increase, your influence may deepen, and your hopes may be fuller and speedily realized. Persevere and never lose heart,
Your true brother, Shoghi
LETTER OF 31 MARCH 1936
31 March 1936
Der Geistige Rat der Baha"i in Esslingen
Dear Baha"i Friends,