# Letters from Jessie Revell

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-18 — 1 clipping.*

---

> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Jessie Revell, Letters from Jessie Revell, bahai-library.com.
> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
> 
> Letters from Jessie Revell
> 
> Jessie Revell
> 
> 1952
> 
> Letter One: from Jessie E. Revell
> 
> Sent from Haifa to the friends in America.
> July 9,
> 1952
> 
> [page 1]
> 
> Dear Friends,
> 
> Many, many times we think of you working so steadfastly to promote the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh and
> our love goes out to each and every one of you, and at the Holy Shrines our prayers ascend for
> you. In the spirit of love and service we are always together.
> 
> Recently there have been many problems here but these problems always lead us to victory and
> our beloved Guardian tells us that the Faith raises up enemies as it expands and grows, it
> triumphs over them, then a new set of problems arises and eventually it triumphs again. There
> is no end to the evolution of the righteous and there is no end to the activity of the evil one. After
> sixty years of opposition since the passing of Bahá'u'lláh, the enemies can do nothing and this
> reveals the Power of the Cause. Crisis always leads to victory and never causes a split.
> Everything that happens in the Bahá'í World has repercussions here and now the Cause is
> entering a World stage in its activities.
> 
> Our beloved Guardian tells us that with regard to the Intercontinental conferences to be held
> during the Bahá'í Holy Year, nothing similar has been attempted since the History of the Faith. It
> is a World Crusade, utilizing the agencies of a World Administrative Order which is Worldwide
> in character, to carry out the provisions of `Abdu'l-Bahá's World Plan, in the service of a
> World Faith – a Global Crusade in which all National Spiritual Assemblies will take part. The
> chief task of these Conferences will be the opening up new territories under their jurisdiction,
> consolidating the work, on an international scale.
> 
> One day at dinner Shoghi Effendi called for a world map and he himself drew circles around the
> territories under the jurisdiction of the eleven now existing National Spiritual Assemblies,
> then he drew circles around eleven more territories where new National Spiritual Assemblies
> are to be made within the next ten years, and he called this THE THEELS [the wheels] OF
> BAHA'U'LLAH'S CHARIOT. This World Crusade will last ten years and will culminate in THE
> MOST GREAT JUBILEE and will include every sovereign state, every chief dependency, every
> island of the globe. How very fortunate are we all, to have a part in this great crusade! America
> is the chief executor of `Abdu'l-Bahá's World Plan. In ten years the Bahá'ís of the world will
> double what has been accomplished since 1844 working through the institutions.
> 
> Our beloved Guardian said that the rise of this Most Great Order given by Bahá'u'lláh has thrown
> confusion into the world. The Bab announced this World Order, Bahá'u'lláh revealed its Laws,
> `Abdu'l-Bahá is its Architect and has given us the Blue-prints – the erection of it was told by
> the Bab. Bahá'u'lláh revealed laws for it construction, `Abdu'l-Bahá gave the Plans.
> 
> [page 2]
> 
> Bahá'ís are working to build up a Divine Civilization to go hand in hand with material
> civilization, not materialistic civilization. One day Shoghi Effendi said that materialistic
> civilization implies the negation of Divine Civilization. Material Civilization is not harmful but
> it is insufficient, it has to be linked with Divine Civilization. He said that the Master (`Abdu'l-Bahá) was always attacking materialistic civilization. Matter is not a bad thing but
> materialistic matter is bad, nationhood is a good thing, but nationalism is a bad thing and
> politics is the nerve center of materialistic civilization.
> 
> Shoghi Effendi said that when he thinks of the Dome of the Shrine of the Bab, he thinks of two
> things; the International House of Justice and the Institution of the Guardianship and the Hands
> of the Cause. He says the shrine has a triple crown; one on the parapet of the first unit (the
> arcade). This crown is of white marble panels with green and red decoration, green being the
> symbol of the lineage of the Bab, red a symbol of His Martyrdom, and this is adorned with the
> Greatest Name, one facing Akka and one on each of the four corners. A verse from the Holy
> Writings will be inscribed on each panel. The second crown is on top and a balastrade around it.
> The third crown will be the Dome on the drum, and this will be entirely golden.
> 
> `Abdu'l-Bahá said that there would be nine terraces to the German Colony and nine to the top of
> the mountain. Shoghi Effendi told us that `Abdu'l-Bahá visualized ships carrying the kings of the
> earth, laying anchor at the port of Haifa, disembarking, proceeding bareheaded and barefooted,
> carrying garlands of flowers and flower baskets with precious stones, approaching the
> Threshold, laying down their crowns, prostrating themselves and sacrificing their crowns as
> offerings.
> 
> The drum of the Dome is now rising and the Shrine looks very, very beautiful. What a privilege
> it is to contribute to such an edifice, the like of which can be found nowhere in the whole world.
> When this precious Shrine is completed, this privilege will be gone. We cannot fully realize the
> great bounty that is ours to help.
> 
> There are many other things I would like to share but will save them for another time. This will
> just let you know that we think of you all very often and hope someday you will have the
> opportunity to come and visit the Bahá'í Holy Places.
> 
> Our beloved Guardian has made such beautiful gardens around Bahji – words would fail to
> describe their beauty.
> 
> With deepest love and best wishes for your teaching work everywhere. We are enjoying all the
> pilgrims, and wish you, too, could make us a visit.
> 
> Devotedly,
> (signed) Jessie E. Revell
> 
> P.S. We know you remember our beloved Guardian and the Hands of the Cause in your prayers
> and we hope you will also remember the rest of us who have been called here to serve. (Special
> None) With love to all.
> 
> (signed) Jessie Revell
> 
> [end]
> 
> Letter two: from Ms. Jessie Revell
> 
> Sent to Mr. George Gallinkin and friends in the United States
> 
> P.O. Box 155
> 
> Haifa, Israel
> 
> October 8, 1954
> 
> Dearly loved friends,
> 
> There are so many interruptions here that it is difficult to concentrate on
> letter-writing and as a result I have many unanswered letters. Today would be my saintly
> Mother's birthday and I felt it is a very good day to try to answer, in a rather general way, my
> accumulated correspondence and share a few of the thoughts which the Beloved Guardian gave us
> at table last fall and winter.
> 
> Soon, no doubt, you will be reading the glorious message of the Guardian about the progress of
> the Faith in Africa and how very happy this has made him. Africa is an example of how we can
> make our Guardian happy. The Cause is alive in Africa and it is an example to all. He has said the
> true lovers of the Cause must love the negroes; first, because they have suffered much, and the
> test is the reaction of the negroes, small things touch their hearts. It is the spirit that counts –
> something between God and the individual.
> 
> Shoghi Effendi has said the that story of Noah is reenacted now with Godlessness and
> materialism. Bahá'ís must be different from others not only in big things but in small things.
> This is the thing that attracts more than anything else – to finds this demonstrated in the actions
> of the believers. Coupled with God's plan and with our efforts, Bahá'ís must distinguish
> themselves, because Bahá'ís have no ulterior motives. Sincerity and devotion will eliminate
> suspicion, distrust and sensitivity. We have a Plan and God has a plan and they are not in
> conflict. If we love God truly, we will love his children who are more downtrodden. The
> sacrifice the Guardian speaks of is that we will serve the Faith at any cost.
> 
> Once he told us that if he has the right tools, then he can work – he said he cannot create, God
> creates, that in some mysterious way instruments are developed and he instinctively reacts as
> soon as he finds some tools that he can use. An artisan cannot create the tools but give him the
> tools and he will do the work. So much depends on personal effort. The spirit of self-sacrifice
> must permeate the masses, not just the few. Bahá'ís must read the Writings and Prayers,
> axquaint [sic] themselves with the teachings then struggle with one's instincts, prejudices,
> environment. Take the text of the Writings into their own room, thoroughly study them, find out
> what is required, examine himself before God, digest the text then act. He said "I cannot create
> the spirit – I am the person who will direct those who arise." He said in some mysterious way
> the Cause triumphs. In referring to Bahá'u'lláh's words, he said that the Bahá'ís must
> disencumber themselves, be light as spirit, pure as air, unrestrained as the wind and blazing
> like fire.
> 
> The world Order of Bahá'u'lláh will embrace the whole of mankind – Bahá'u'lláh was sent by God
> in this age to bring about unity. His message is Divine in origin, God inspired, embracing the
> whole of mankind. Bahá'ís must have a high standard of conduct coupled with God's power which
> has come direct from God for this age. Ultimately the purpose of the Bahá'í Faith is a world
> civilization – the kingdom of God on earth. We must learn how to attract people, then confirm
> them so that they will arise and teach and serve.
> 
> It is wonderful how the army of Bahá'u'lláh is marching forward to conquer the hearts. We
> pray for you all at the Holy Shrines.
> 
> With warmest Bahá'í love to you and to all from all of us here.
> 
> METADATA
> 
> Views20932 views since posted 1997; last edit 2025-09-30 13:03 UTC;
> 
> previous at archive.org.../revell_letters;
> URLs changed in 2010, see archive.org.../bahai-library.org
> Language
> English
> Permission
> public domain
> History
> Typed 1997 by Robert Stauffer; Proofread 2006-21-01 by Maryam Vahdat.
> Share
> 
> Shortlink: bahai-library.com/753
> Citation: ris/753
> 
> select Collection:
> Archives
> Articles
> Articles-unpublished
> Audio
> Bibliographies
> BIC
> Biographies
> Books
> Chronologies
> Compilations
> Compilations-NSA
> Compilations-personal
> Documents
> East-asia
> Encyclopedia
> Essays
> Etc
> Excerpts
> Fiction
> Glossaries
> Guardian
> Histories
> Introductory
> Letters
> Maps
> Music
> Newspapers
> NSA-documents
> NSA-letters
> Personal
> Pilgrims
> Poetry
> Presentations
> Resources
> Reviews
> Scripts
> Software
> Statistics
> Study
> Talks
> Theses
> Transcripts
> Translations
> UHJ-documents
> UHJ-letters
> Video
> Visual
> Writings
> 
> home
> 
> sitemap
> 
> series
> 
> chronology
> 
> search:
> author
> 
> title
> 
> date
> 
> tags
> 
> adv. search
> languages
> 
> inventory
> 
> bibliography
> 
> abbreviations
> 
> links
> 
> about
> 
> contact
> 
> RSS
> 
> new
>
> — *Letters from Jessie Revell (Used by permission of the curator)*