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Letter of 14 February 1954
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Dear Bahá'í Brother:
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Your comprehensive letter of February 5th, replacing
your letter of February 3rd; also your letter of February 7th,
dealing with the question of site for the Bahá'í Temple in
Frankfurt, has been received by the beloved Guardian, and
he has asked me to acknowledge them on his behalf.
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The Guardian was very much impressed with the clear
and concise outline of the investigations which you have
made, giving him the best possible opportunity to
understand the situation fully.
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The beloved Guardian feels that site "C", Steinbacher-Hohe,
appears to be the most suitable for the Bahá'í Temple
and future developments. He feels therefore that your
Assembly should immediately arrange for the prompt
purchase of some of the land.
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While it would be desirable of course to buy an extensive
piece of property, the finances of the German National
Assembly, and the financial obligations all over the Bahá'í
world, make it impossible to buy a large piece at this time;
and therefore he feels you should purchase approximately
10,000 square meters, which it is his understanding would
cost approximately $10,000. Should there be available
more than the $8,000. in the bank to your Assembly, the
Guardian would see no serious objection to purchasing a
little additional land, so that the entire expense would not
be over $12,000.
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It is noted in your communication you state you have
$8,000. in the bank in Zurich; but that pledges made at
Stockholm bring the total amount up to about $12,000. At
the Guardian's direction, I am endeavoring to correlate all
contributions and funds, so we may know the total amount
available.
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In order to help clarify this matter, will you please send
me a statement of the funds which are available in Zurich,
and in Germany, if any, giving a list of the contributions
which have been received. If there have been a number of
small contributions, the Guardian does not require that
information, but simply information as to how much money
was contributed at Stockholm, for instance, how much has
been received from large donors, how much from the
friends in Germany itself, etc.
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At the same time, I am writing out to other areas, to see if
any money is being held for the account of your Assembly
for the purchase of land, in any other areas.
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The important thing now is to procure the land. The
Guardian states it is not necessary for you to refer back to
him any specific details regarding the land; inasmuch as it
has now been decided to purchase land in Steinbacher-Hohe.
He leaves it to your Assembly to pick out the best
piece of land in the area for the Temple itself. Later on,
when financial conditions in Germany, and in the Faith
generally, are better, consideration can be given to
additional land for Temple accessories, etc.
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The Guardian states it is satisfactory to secure designs etc.
from architects, both Bahá'í and non-Baha'i, from Germany
and also from other countries. In other words, you are free
to handle this matter actively, submitting designs to the
Guardian as they are received by you. The Guardian of
course wishes the Bahá'í architects to have an opportunity
to submit their views concerning this sacred edifice.
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In connection with your question of how you should
proceed, if it is suitable to ask for designs by architects
outside of Germany; this of course is left for you to handle
in your own way. Of course it is suitable for you to
correspond with the Spiritual Assemblies in the countries
involved, asking them to be of assistance in this important
matter.
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The Guardian is very hopeful that you may be able to
conclude the purchase of the land, by the middle of April. It
will be a great victory for the Faith, if it can be accomplished
within the first year of the Ten-Year Crusade.
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The Guardian assures you of his prayers in your behalf,
that every obstacle may be removed from your path, and
your actions be both guided and confirmed....
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P.S. In your letter of February 3rd; the maps attached; and
your letter of February 7th, you refer to Steinbacher Hohe
as No. C. while in your letter of February 5th, you refer to it
as No. B. So that all documents may have the same
reference, I have changed your letter of February 5th, to
show Steinbacher Hohe, as No. C.; and Forsthausstrasse as
No. B.
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