He trusts that the combined Centenary Celebrations and annual Convention will not only draw a large group of believers to Sydney to meet in their new Hazíratu’l-Quds, but will also be a means of attracting the attention of the public to the Faith on a wider scale than ever before. The Australian and New Zealand friends are standing not only on the threshold of the second Bahá’í Century but also on the threshold of a new phase of the Cause in that part of the world. Their responsibilities are therefore greatly increased, and he believes they will meet them unitedly, with clear vision, and their characteristic devotion to our beloved Faith. He assures you and the other members of the N.S.A. of his loving prayers for the success of your labours and the fulfilment of your dearest hopes. With Bahá’í love, R. Rabbani. P.S. He found the newspaper clippings you forwarded of great interest, and is pleased to see that the press is being so friendly and helpful. He has already through a cable stated that the convention should be held in conjunction with the Centenary Celebrations which embrace the 23rd of May. The Commemoration gathering should be held on the 22nd of May exactly at two hours and eleven minutes after sunset, which is the time at which the Báb declared His Mission. [From the Guardian:] Dear and valued co-workers: The activities of the beloved friends in Australia and New Zealand during recent troubles have been truly remarkable. Now that the Hazíratu’l-Quds is to be established in Sydney I trust and pray that this central administrative headquarters in the oldest and leading Bahá’í centre in that far-off continent will act as a powerful magnet and attract the manifold blessings of the Almighty and lend a tremendous impetus to the organized activities of the believers in Australia and New Zealand. I will continue to pray for them from the depths of my heart. Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi. LETTER OF OCT. 17TH, 1944 Haifa, Oct. 17th, 1944. Dear Bahá’í Sister: The Guardian has instructed me to acknowledge your letter dated June 27th and also two previous ones from the former secretary of the N.S.A. dated Feb. 6th and Aug. 27th, and to answer them on his behalf. He deeply appreciates all the work done by dear Miss Brooks in the past as Secretary of the National Assembly, and hopes that now that she is relieved of this arduous post she will devote much of her time to teaching and writing for the Faith. The sacrifice you and your husband are making by moving to Sydney in order to attend to the work of the N.S.A. is truly praiseworthy, and he hopes the way will open for you to do so at an early date. In connection with the incorporation of the N.S.A.: the Guardian feels that whatever form the incorporation takes the name and seal of the Nat. assembly must not be changed in any way, i.e. the title “National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand” should be preserved.