Letter of 5 June 1949
5 June 1949
You have asked for his advice about two matters which concern you very deeply, and although he knows your love for this Holy Cause will assist you in making the right decisions, he knows it will be hard for you to do so, and therefore assures you of his loving prayers that you may take these steps courageously, and that the way may be made easy for you.
He has heard nothing against the character of Mrs ... and does not doubt in many ways she may be a very commendable woman. However, this does not change the fact that in view of her inhered convictions about Bahá’u’lláh it is best for the Bahá’ís, including yourself, not to associate with her. That which is in the heart of those who have actively opposed the Manifestation of God is spiritually unhealthy, and although we in our limited human understanding cannot always see the wisdom of shunning them, the Master has instructed us to do so, and for our good, and the good of the Cause, we must obey this instruction.
The matter of your giving up your church membership is a conscientious obligation. He does not force you to do so, but as you no longer believe in all the doctrines of your former church, to continue to be a member of it is really to put yourself in a position of one who is acting insincerely. Should you decide to withdraw from the church as a member, however there is no reason why you should not continue to go to church with your husband, and to continue your friendly association with the congregation. He will pray that your husband may be willing for you to take this step.
Letter of 30 September 1949[34]
30 September 1949
He fully appreciates your point about certain well-known names of Persian and other Oriental cities being spelt according to the general usage in German literature. However, he feels that it is necessary to follow in full the transliteration used in God Passes By, even for the names of famous cities, etc., which have in European languages an accepted way of being spelt. Only by doing this can confusion be avoided in our Bahá’í translations and uniformity be maintained.
A key to pronunciation should be printed, in order to coordinate it with the German language, and also an explanation of the reason for this system being used: namely that it was adopted by an international Congress as being the most practical and universal means of spelling these oriental names in the latin alphabet.
He hopes that the fact that two people translated different parts of this book will not be noticeable in the style, and thus detract from its literary value in German?
Your labours, and those of the other friends concerned in getting this valuable history ready to be printed in German, are deeply appreciated....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved of our hearts, whose Faith you are serving with distinction, zeal and loyalty, reward you a thousandfold for your constant and notable services, aid you to extend continually the range of your activities, and win still greater victories for its institutions,
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi