It was such a joy to hear from you. You, as well as the other German believers, are often in my thoughts and prayers. I will continue to pray for the realization of your highest hopes. Be not despaired, nay be assured that a glorious future awaits you all, more brilliant than any you can imagine. Your true brother, Shoghi LETTER OF 26 MAY 1946 26 May 1946 Miss Edith Horn and the dear Bahá’ís of Frankfurt Dear Bahá’í Friends: Your letter of April 21st reached the beloved Guardian—the first direct mail from Germany!—and he was rejoiced to see you are all so devoted and active in the service of our precious Faith. He hopes the Frankfurt Bahá’ís, now that they have a Spiritual Assembly and are free to conduct their affairs publicly, will succeed in teaching many new souls this life-giving message. The need in Europe to hear of the Cause is more desperate than ever before, and the responsibility of the German friends very great, being as they are the largest Bahá’í Community in Europe. You may be sure he will pray for your labours to promote the Cause, in the Holy Shrines, and he assures you that you and your work are very dear to him... [From the Guardian:] Dear and valued co-worker: My heart was filled with joy, pride and gratitude when I perused your most welcome message, as I regard it as a remarkable evidence of the unfailing providence and power of Bahá’u’lláh, who has watched over you, preserved and sustained you, and has now enabled you to resume your historic work for His Cause. You have often been in my thoughts and prayers and I rejoice that your city is to become the administrative centre of our beloved Faith and the national focus of its spiritual and humanitarian activities. Persevere in your great task and rest assured and be happy. Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi LETTER OF 3 JULY 1946 3 July 1946 I need not try and convey to you in words how the Guardian has deplored, and suffered over, all the tragic happenings of the last few years! He was particularly sorry to hear such a dear Bahá’í as Paul Köhler, of Dresden, had died, as well as his wife and children. We can only be grateful that so many of the German friends have survived such terrible years! He is very anxious to have the German Bahá’ís resume their activities on a larger scale than ever before—particularly as they are now free for the first time in so many years. He fully realizes how great your problems are, and that you are still suffering from many shortages and restrictions; but knowing you all—and what our beloved Master foresaw your future would be—the Guardian is confident the Faith will spread as never before in Germany, and that the believers of that country will aid in establishing the institutions of Bahá’u’lláh all over Europe. LETTER OF 11 JULY 1946 11 July 1946 The Bahá’í Community, Esslingen Dear Bahá’í Friends: