He hopes that the German youth, in spite of the fact that they now have Persian co-workers in their midst, will consider that the work in Germany is their responsibility, primarily, and not the responsibility of foreign students, whether they be Persians, Americans, or from any other nation.
Each country must create its own active corps of servants; and it is only right and proper that the German youth should do the lion’s share of their work, and not permit other people to do it for them. He feels that the German Bahá’í young people have made great progress during the last few years, and prays that they may continue to do so; and he urges you all to concentrate your efforts on this important branch of Bahá’í activity; namely, consolidating and strengthening the activities of the young men and women enrolled in the Cause of God in that country.
Letter of 31 May 1951
31 May 1951
He sees no objection to ... going to Persia for a visit. It would be a happy experience for him to meet with the believers there. However, he feels you should bear in mind that administrative experience and practice is not the strong point in the East; on the contrary, the Bahá’í Administration has, as far as being grasped by the average Bahá’í goes, made far greater progress in the West, particularly America.
What can be learned from our Oriental brethren is reverence, self-sacrifice, unquestioning obedience and complete devotion to the Cause. These are wonderful traits, and ones which the West must emulate. In exchange we can offer them our sense of principle and efficiency and capacity for action.