The Unfolding Destiny of the British Bahá'í Community : the Messages from the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith to the Bahá'ís of the British IslesShoghi, Effendi
Religion
The Unfolding Destiny of the British Bahá'í Community : the Messages from the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith to the Bahá'ís of the British Isles
Shoghi, Effendi
Bahai Faith -- Great Britain -- History -- Sources; Shoghi, Effendi, 1897-1957 -- Correspondence
He has already informed the American N.S.A. that he feels Mr. Townshend’s
services to the Faith can best be rendered by his writing about it, as he
obviously has an outstanding ability in this direction, combined with
knowledge and zeal, and can render a very valuable service this way; he
also feels that Mr. Townshend, now that his church association seems about
to be broken, could be used as part of the pioneer force in Eire. It is
his own land, he knows his own people, and the need for workers there is
very particularly great this year....
If Mr. Townshend has not as yet been registered as a voting believer he
certainly should be immediately. Everyone knows he has been a most devoted
Bahá’í for many years and his contributions should certainly be considered
those of a voting Bahá’í.
He would appreciate receiving, for the files here in Haifa, a copy of the
revised Articles of Association.
Regarding the prayer translated by Dr. _Kh_án and his daughter: although
he has not taken time to compare it with the original, he assumes it is a
faithful translation. Unfortunately it is not a style which in our
language can convey the richness and power of the original, and he would
not recommend that this version of it be printed. There is no objection,
however, to its circulation among the friends if they want it.
As to certain of your voting members who have long been inactive, and
whose conduct you disapprove of, he suggests you make an effort to find
out if they still believe in the Faith, and if they do, and wish to be
members of it, then they should be helped to mend their ways. If this
patient and loving method does not prove successful and they refuse to
identify themselves with the Faith, they should be removed from the voting
list.
Miss ... should be advised, for the sake of better serving the Cause she
loves so dearly, to take care of her health; also she should be made to
realise that a pessimistic and critical approach (although perhaps fully
justified by the situation) produces no results. We, having the power of
the Faith to draw on, must always be constructive in our efforts, as this
will produce results and attract Divine blessings upon them.
Concerning the membership of ... in the synagogue: as this concerns his
non-Bahá’í Jewish wife and means a great deal to her—even involving the
place of her burial—the Guardian does not feel it is right to request him
to take a step which would deprive her of her own religious rights. On the
other hand, he sees no reason why ... should not write a letter to the
appropriate authority in this synagogue, explaining that he is a
practising Bahá’í but is keeping his synagogue membership for the benefit
of his wife and children. Some similar action should be taken by ..., or
he should give up his synagogue membership.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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