Letter of 26 October 1950
26 October 1950
Your suggestion regarding a book for the general public is a good one. The question is not only have we Bahá’ís competent to present this subject in a way which would catch the attention of the public, but also even if such a book existed would it achieve its end? We have, unfortunately, not very many capable Bahá’í writers, and the condition of confusion in the world is such that it seems doubtful if such a work would arrest the attention of distracted mankind.
However, we need more and better Bahá’í books, and he suggests you present your idea to the German, British and American N.S.A.’s.
Letter of 10 February 1951[37]
10 February 1951
The Hamburg situation he trusts is now greatly improved. The believers there must learn to function according to the Administration. When they do this, ninety percent of their problems will be solved.
Regarding your questions concerning the Gleanings:
1st. CXL up until CXLI refers to Muḥammad-‘Alí. The following pages do not.
2nd. The Guardian does not remember to whom Chapter CXLIII refers. He gathered the quotations for the Gleanings from innumerable individual tablets and writings, and did not keep a record of all of them; and has not at present time to go back over this material and find out. He does not consider it important to whom it refers.
3rd. On Page 312, the words “I feign would hope” are merely a very elevated style of English for saying “I hope”. This tablet has nothing to do with Muḥammad-‘Alí.
The Guardian asks you to please convey his love to all the members of your dear family, as well as to dear Mrs. Benke.
He very much appreciates the translation you have made of the Gleanings, and hopes that it will soon be in the hands of all the believers, as it is an extremely important volume for acquiring a deeper understanding of the Faith, and greatly enriches the literature available in the German language.