Generally speaking his instructions to the American Bahá’ís and their N.S.A. are, whenever they concern administrative principles and procedure and general statements about and interpretations of the Faith, binding for all Bahá’ís everywhere. Naturally specific instructions to the American Bahá’ís are not applicable to other communities. “Bahá’í Procedure”, as Mr. Holley pointed out, is not binding on other National Assemblies, as many things in it are purely secondary rulings made by the American N.S.A. to facilitate the work of the Cause under its jurisdiction. The believers should certainly, under no circumstances, drink any alcoholic beverages as this has been forbidden in the Aqdas. Not all of its laws and precepts can be practiced at present; but those he has, in his instructions to America, laid down as applicable at present should be followed. LETTER OF 4 JULY 1947 4 July 1947 Bahá’í Gemeinde, Karlsruhe Dear Bahá’í Friends: Your letter dated May 23rd was received by our beloved Guardian, and he wishes me to tell you all how very happy he was to hear that you now have a Spiritual Assembly there. This is the beginning of your work—not the end of it!—and you may be sure his ardent and loving prayers will be offered for your success, and expansion, in the Holy Shrines. He also takes this opportunity of thanking Mrs. Brauns-Forel for her letter and assures her of his prayers... [From the Guardian:] Assuring you of my loving prayers for your success, for the extension o f your valued activities, and the realization of your dearest hopes in the service of the Faith and its divinely appointed institutions, Your true brother, Shoghi LETTER OF 19 JULY 1947 19 July 1947 The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Stuttgart Dear Bahá’í Friends: Your letter of March 10th was received, and as our beloved Guardian was very busy he could not reply to you sooner. However, he has now instructed me to answer you on his behalf. He has no objection to the Stuttgart Bahá’ís arranging to have a center of their own on Mrs. Schwarz’ land. As this was a spot visited by the beloved Master, it is all the more appropriate as a center for the Cause there. He hopes that the Stuttgart friends will so arrange their affairs that this new undertaking will not prevent them from assisting the national interests of the Cause and spending them their full support. His loving prayers are offered for you all, and for the success of the work you are doing there, which is so sacred and so vitally important... [From the Guardian:] May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you in your meritorious and constant services to His glorious Faith, aid you to extend the range of your activities, to proclaim the truths of His Faith, multiply its institutions, and consolidate its foundations, Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi LETTER OF 27 SEPTEMBER 1947 27 September 1947