Letters from the Guardian to Australia and New Zealand

by Effendi Shoghi

Letter of March 25th, 1946

Haifa, March 25th, 1946.

Dear Bahá’í Sister:

Your letters, written on behalf of the N.S.A. and dated June 15th, and 16th, July 26th and Sep. 15th, 1945, and Jan. 7th, 1946, together with their enclosures, have been received, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer them on his behalf.

He is very pleased to see the progress the Cause is making in Australia and New Zealand and hopes that the N.S.A. will not only inspire and encourage the believers in their teaching activities, but will also constantly impress on them the need for the greatest love and unity to prevail in their midst; the masses will only really turn to the Faith when they see that in it true religion is practiced as well as preached!

The recent articles attacking the Cause are a sign that its influence is sufficiently felt to be feared—a great compliment to the progress you are making in spreading the message!

Concerning the various points raised in your letters: He noticed, from your letter of Jan. 7th, that you were planning to hold the annual Convention in May, and cabled you that it must be held in the Ridván period—as are all the other National Bahá’í Conventions the world over,—even though some other date might be more convenient locally.

He feels that the Yerrinbool Summer School should hold longer sessions; in this respect the friends cannot do better than to pattern themselves on the American Summer Schools, some of which now hold two or three Summer sessions, and even a “Winter Session”. Although such a large number of sessions may be premature for Australia at present, the goal should be kept in mind as you seek to expand your school.

There can be no schism in the Bahá’í Faith because the Guardianship is established on an unassailable foundation, supported by a signed, sealed document—the Will. Schism can only flourish where there is ambiguity or no specific proof. The New History Society is like a branch that has no roots, and will soon dry up and wither. It has not caused, nor can it cause, a breach among the believers.