The Guardian would like you to please convey to the Adelaide Spiritual Assembly his deep appreciation of the contribution they made through your Body to the Shrine Fund here in Haifa, a contribution which represents the sum of their Property Fund. They showed in this matter an exemplary spirit, and placed the major issue in its true perspective, forgetting their local hopes and aspirations in order that the work on the glorious Shrine of the Báb might be carried forward more speedily.
In regard to your question concerning the Centenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh’s mission: The Guardian, at a later date, will give instructions concerning this commemoration to the entire Bahá’í world.
He has been particularly pleased to note, during the past year, the increase in pioneer activity going on under your jurisdiction. As you know, he attaches the greatest importance to this type of Bahá’í service; and he hopes that more of the believers will arise and go forth into the field, establishing new centers and groups, and broadcasting the Message of Bahá’u’lláh over the face of that vast continent.
This is at once their greatest duty and privilege, and one which will attract the blessings of Bahá’u’lláh, and enrich, not only each individual who arises to serve, but the entire Community of which he forms a part.
Whenever the friends feel that they are small in number, and the effort required, truly colossal, they should remember what the British Bahá’ís accomplished during the Six Year Plan; and how, after the long and exhaustive years of the war and all its restrictions, they succeeded, at the point of utter exhaustion, one might say, in achieving every single goal gloriously. The Australian and New Zealand friends, who have not been subjected to such rigors during the last decade, who are a young and fresh nation, so to speak, can surely accomplish as much, and one would imagine more, than their British brethren, who labored under such great handicaps.
He assures you all that he will remember you in his prayers at the Holy Threshold, and supplicate that your Assembly, and the Community of believers whom you represent, may achieve great things during the coming Bahá’í year and arise to new heights of self-sacrifice and service.
With warm Bahá’í love,
R. Rabbani.
P.S. I would like to add that the Guardian does not consider that it is advisable for New Zealand to be separated in the near future from Australia, and come under the jurisdiction of an independent National Assembly. He considers that the present arrangement is the best one until such time as there are more assemblies flourishing in New Zealand, and he would consider the basis for a National Assembly strong enough there to support such an institution.
Regarding the question of Mr. ..., the Guardian was considerably surprised at his temerity in getting in touch with the Bahá’ís. He belongs to an old family of Covenant-breakers from the days of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, was later pardoned by the Guardian, and a number of years ago, flagrantly disobeyed the Guardian, and was put out of our local Community here. We all know that he has been in constant association with the Covenant-breakers ever since, and he even admits it in his own letter! Needless to say, the Bahá’ís should consider him a Covenant-breaker, and shun him entirely. The harm that he could do a Community if treated otherwise, would be very great indeed.
[From the Guardian:]