The Guardian does not feel that now is the time for the Hands to give up their normal sphere of activity, and prepare themselves to be free to travel and teach all the time. In most cases, this would be quite impossible financially, especially for people who, like yourself, have the responsibility of families to look after. No doubt, as the Cause grows in numbers, and has greater resources, it will be possible to assist the Hands to carry out definite teaching missions; but for the present, we must stretch our limited resources, and accomplish the most essential tasks first. He was very pleased to hear that you will be present at the Stockholm Conference.
The tasks of the Auxiliary Boards will be under the direction of the Hands in their area, and in cooperation with the administrative bodies existing, to strengthen the teaching work. They will not have administrative functions, but will no doubt be able to help stimulate weak centers, groups and assemblies through their visits.
A Covenant-breaker, as you know, is one who disobeys and turns away from the Center of the Covenant. Until such time as they repent of this sincerely, and express their willingness to work under the Center of the Covenant, their status must be considered the same. However, such matters should be discussed and decided upon within the National Spiritual Assembly itself.
Letter of 19 April 1953
19 April 1953
Regarding your question, on Page 40 of “Prayers and Meditations”, where it says: “Methinks He”, this “He” refers to the Báb. The last paragraph on Page 40 and the continuation of it on Page 41 right down to the end of the quotation marks on Page 42, is all the Spirit of the Báb addressing Bahá’u’lláh; therefore, the words: “Thou art, in very truth, the Self-Subsisting” refers to Bahá’u’lláh, and is addressed by the Báb’s Spirit to Him in the mystical sense of this prayer.
Regarding the words on Page 39 beginning with: “He it is, O my Lord,” up to: “Thou didst weep continually”, these are addressed by Bahá’u’lláh to the Báb.