What can be learned from our Oriental brethren is reverence, self-sacrifice, unquestioning obedience and complete devotion to the Cause. These are wonderful traits, and ones which the West must emulate.
In exchange we can offer them our sense of principle and efficiency and capacity for action.
LETTER OF 19 SEPTEMBER 1951
19 September 1951
To the Baha"is who were gathered at Dilsberg, August 22, 1951
The beloved Guardian was very happy to see so many of the young friends had gathered to study the Faith, and a.s.sociate with each other in Baha"i fellowship.
He feels sure these experiences are building up among you a greater sense of dedication and uniting your hearts in the service of Baha"u"llah.
He urges you all to exemplify in your personal lives the teachings, as well as to study them, and to also learn well the principles of the Administrative Order.
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved of our hearts guide and bless you, remove every obstacle from your path, and aid you to contribute increasingly to the consolidation of the inst.i.tutions of His Faith,
Your true brother, Shoghi
LETTER OF 30 OCTOBER 1951
30 October 1951
Through the National a.s.sembly the beloved Guardian heard of your serious illness and your sufferings, and he wishes me to a.s.sure you of his loving sympathy and of his ardent prayers for your relief.
Life afflicts us with very severe trials sometimes, but we must always remember that when we accept patiently the will of G.o.d He compensates us in other ways. With faith and love we must be patient, and He will surely reward us.
The Guardian is also praying for your children, that they may grow up to rejoice your heart and be wonderful Baha"is.
LETTER OF 6 DECEMBER 1951
6 December 1951
To the Baha"i Youth Who were gathered at Maulbronn October 28, 1951.
Dear Baha"i Friends:
The beloved Guardian appreciated receiving your message, and was happy to see that so many of you had met to consult together about ways and means of spreading the Divine Message in Germany.
He a.s.sures you he will pray that your efforts will be blessed; and he urges you, as far as possible, to disperse to centers in Germany where there are either no Baha"is, or there is a weak group and your presence would strengthen it to establish a new center.
LETTER OF 20 JANUARY 1952
20 January 1952
To the Baha"is who were present at the Winter Youth Meeting December 28, 1951.
He was very happy to see that it was possible for so many to attend this Youth Meeting; and he trusts that the study of the Teachings together, and the spiritual interchange of thought among you on that occasion will cause you to devote your lives even more single-mindedly to the Faith of Baha"u"llah and its requirements; and that you will each inspire the friends in your homes to further study, a closer unity and increased activity.
LETTER OF 14 MARCH 1952
14 March 1952
...he urges you to devote as much of your time as possible to the actual teaching work rather than writing on technical or theoretical subjects, especially in relation to the Faith, because the Baha"i att.i.tude in detail regarding such questions as sociology and economics must be formulated in the course of time and cannot possibly be elaborated on at this point. To do so would be premature. This does not mean that you should not make the best possible use of the ma.n.u.script you sent him, but he would not advise you to devote much time to a similar work in the immediate future.
LETTER OF 12 APRIL 1952
12 April 1952
To the Baha"i Youth of Germany Who were present on Annual World Youth Day.
He hopes that each one who was present carried away with him a new strength and resolve to do all in his power to teach, and attract new souls to the Cause of G.o.d.