Letter of 29 December 1946
29 December 1946
The sufferings which the German Bahá’ís have passed through have grieved his heart very much—but he is very proud of their loyal and devoted spirit, and the way their faith in Bahá’u’lláh has come out of the fire of these war years pure and unstained and stronger than ever! They have a great future, promised them by the beloved Master...
As you may perhaps have heard, our Guardian does not like to give pictures of himself to the believers—he prefers that they should keep in their homes photographs of the Master Who is our inspiration and Exemplar.
He hopes very much that you will be able to teach other young Germans the Cause there. The youth in particular need desperately to be given the Message, for it is their lives that have suffered the greatest ruin through this cruel war. Teaching them should be your first duty...
Letter of 18 January 1947[21]
18 January 1947
Your welcome letters ... were received, together with the poems you enclosed in them...
He wishes me to assure you he will include some of the poems in the next volume of “Bahá’í World”; it is, unfortunately, too late to get them into the latest number which is now being printed in America.
It seems now absolutely certain that our dear Bahá’í sister, Lydia Zamenhof, lost her life in a gas-chamber during the war! It is a great loss, as she could have rendered the Faith many services in Europe in these past-war days! But her services to the Cause and her memory are imperishable!
He would be very pleased to receive an article from you about her for the next volume of Bahá’í World, but not for the “In Memoriam” section. Also he regrets he will not be able to publish in the Bahá’í World the In Memoriam article you sent about your dear parents. Only those people who have died in the period covered by each volume receive mention in that volume, and the next one will be for 1946–48!...
P.S. He is very happy to hear dear Mr. Zabih is meeting the friends there; you may be sure he will pray that the way may open for him to help you all in Germany at the present time and serve the Faith in England later on.
The Guardian assures you he is delighted to hear of the translations you have already made and are at present engaged upon; the German literature of the Faith is of the utmost importance, both because of the great future the Cause has there, and the fact that so many other Europeans read German. He hopes “Gleanings” and the “Dispensation” can soon be printed. These matters you should refer to your Nat. Spiritual Assembly.
[From the Guardian:]
My dear and valued co-worker:
I am so glad and grateful to learn of the activity and perseverance of the dear German believers, and of your own valued and constant services to our beloved Faith. You are, I assure you, often in my thoughts and prayers, and I prize the spirit that animates you in His service. I cherish the brightest hopes for the future of your historic work for the promotion of the Faith, and wish you to persevere and rest assured that the Beloved will continue to guide and sustain you, and will reward you abundantly for your high endeavours.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 9 February 1947[22]
9 February 1947
He realizes that every effort the friends make in Germany these days is made in the face of great obstacles and at the cost of real sacrifice. But they must ever keep their goals in sight, and persevere for the sake of the Cause and for the sake of their fellow-countrymen who now, in their greatest hour of need, have the right to hear of Bahá’u’lláh Who alone can save the world and lead it to peace and happiness.
He will certainly pray that all obstacles may be soon overcome, and the printing work go ahead. He also hopes, and will pray, that the N.S.A. will make every effort to arrange its affairs so as to meet in Frankfurt. These things cannot be done over night, he fully realizes, but the believers must strive to accomplish them constantly.
The services which you and your dear family are so constantly rendering the Faith are very, very deeply appreciated by him. Be happy that God has enabled you to do so much for His Faith!
His loving prayers are with you all...
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of my abiding gratitude for your constant and splendid services to our beloved Faith, and of my ardent prayers for your welfare and the realization of every hope you cherish for the advancement and consolidation of its new-born institutions,
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi