|
Letter of 5 April 1936
|
1 |
Dear Bahá'í Friends,
|
2 |
Your most welcome message of the first Naw-Rúz has
just arrived and its perusal has brought indescribable joy to
our Guardian's heart. He is so thankful and happy that the
friends in Vienna are working so unitedly and with such
fervour, and he hopes that as a result the Cause will steadily
develop, and your centre will become one of the leading
Bahá'í communities in the West.
|
3 |
The most vital matter on which the Guardian wishes you
to fully concentrate is that of consolidating the foundations
of the Administration. Not until your group learns to work
efficiently through obedience to the local assembly and
under its guidance can there be any hope for future
expansion. The friends must all realize the necessity of
internal discipline and order which only a properly elected
and efficiently functioning body such as the local assembly
can effectively maintain. Obedience to the decisions of the
local assembly should be unqualified and whole-hearted, as
by this means alone can the community work as a united
body and achieve something constructive and enduring.
|
4 |
The Guardian feels also the necessity of urging you to
keep always in touch with the friends in Germany. The
center in Vienna, though outside the political boundaries of
Germany, forms nevertheless an integral part of the
German-speaking Bahá'í community. It is therefore of a
vital importance that the ties of fellowship and cooperation
between you and the German believers be increasingly
strengthened and consolidated so that through your united
endeavours the Cause in Germany and Austria may rapidly
spread and be established on firm foundations....
|
5 |
[From the Guardian:]
|
6 |
Dearly beloved friends:
|
7 |
I am deeply grateful to you for your constant services,
your unswerving loyalty, your firm determination and
exemplary devotion to our beloved Cause. Unity and
cooperation are absolutely essential and vital at the present
stage of your development. Persevere and rest assured I will
continue to pray for you all from the depths of my heart.
|
8 |
Affectionately,
|
9 |
Shoghi
|