Regarding the matters raised in your letter, as he wrote you before, he does not feel in this stage in the development of the Faith and the Institution of the Hands, that the Hands should request to not be elected on National Bodies, or resign from them. However, there is no reason why they cannot ask their fellow-members, if they are elected, to leave them free of the heavier administrative offices, so that they can do more in their function as Hands. There is no reason why there should not be a frank discussion of these problems before the National Assembly itself votes for its Officers. The National Assembly is not obliged to follow the wish of the Hands.(56) It is also not the Body empowered to tell the Hands what to do; they can make suggestions to them. As regards your highly meritorious desire to pioneer behind the Iron Curtain, he does not feel that this would be advisable or in the best interests of the Faith. You should continue your work where you are in Germany, and do all you can, as a Hand and as a member of the National Body, to see that some pioneers undertake this important service. LETTER OF 28 MARCH 1957 28 March 1957 As regards the question you have asked: The Bahá’í marriage should take place the same day. It is not necessary that this should be an occasion for a feast or publicity, although that would of course be good if it could be combined with obedience to the Laws. The most important thing is that they should have the Bahá’í ceremony, which, as you know, is extremely simple, on the same day as the other ceremony. LETTER OF 28 APRIL 1957 28 April 1957 The passing of dear George Townshend has been a real loss to the work in Europe—but what Europe has lost Asia in the Pacific has gained! LETTER OF 14 MAY 1957(57) 14 May 1957 He would certainly not advise you to move outside of Germany, in view of the tremendous needs in that country. However, he approves, if you find it financially possible, of your moving to Dortmund where as you say there are no Bahá’ís, and which is one of Germany’s major cities. This would indeed be rendering the Faith a valuable service at this time in setting an example to others. Either Dortmund or Berlin would be highly acceptable, whichever would be easiest for you. LETTER OF 28 MAY 1957 28 May 1957 To the Youth who were present in Aachen on May 19, 1957. He was very happy to see that so many of the Bahá’í Youth had gathered together to study the Teachings, and hopes such meetings will be held often throughout Germany. The believers, especially the young ones, should always remember that the first thing the non-Bahá’ís are going to notice in us is our character; therefore, the highest standard of moral conduct and courtesy should be shown forth by the youth, in order to attract the hearts of other people, and, through arousing their admiration, create in them a desire to know more about our beloved Faith, and eventually to arise to serve it.