# Ruth Moffett's pilgrim's notes

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

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> Jump to:
> PART 1. - Brightening Horizons of Israel
> PART 2. - Our Guardian Speaks
> PART 3. - After Glow of Haifa
> 
> 
> 
> [page 12]
> 
> 
> PART II "A"
> 
> OUR GUARDIAN, SHOGHI EFFENDI SPEAKS
> 
> 
> The Guardian greeted Ruth with unusual warmth and the first night placed 
> her at the head of the table, which is a courtesy given to each new 
> incoming pilgrim. As he did so, he said, "Welcome!" "It has been such a long 
> time that we have looked for your return to Haifa. You will find things 
> much changed from the time that you were here before. Did you see the 
> Shrine of the Bab? I hope that you can go there tomorrow. How are the 
> friends in America? How is the assembly in Chicago functioning now? 
> What progress is there now? You say better. I am glad to hear that they 
> are progressing better now. I hope that all the friends of America are 
> progressing."
> 
> Ruth said, trying to change the subject, which the Guardian knew she was 
> doing, "I think, Shoghi Effendi, that you would be pleased to see the signs 
> of maturity that were at the last convention."
> 
> The Guardian said, "Signs of maturity! What signs? Everyone smiled.
> 
> Ruth replied, having to think quickly, "There seems to be less wordiness, 
> and more of a desire for action and for pioneering."
> 
> The Guardian said, "This enthusiasm is very fine during the Convention, but 
> it seems that afterward they forget so soon. The Americans are very 
> enthusiastic and industrious but they do not carry things through like the 
> British. I am not referring to Mrs. Moffett. You are very industroius and 
> sincere, and you are very persevering, even against great obstacles. This 
> is an excellent quality. I hope that you can instill it into others."
> 
> "Everything is declining in America. Art, music, money, manners. 
> Everything. Especially in the great cities. You and the friends should leave 
> the cities and disperse, that the Faith of God may grow and save mankind. 
> Those who do not respond will loose everything. Those who do will gain 
> everything."
> 
> "You are greatly needed in the teaching field throughout America. I hope 
> that you will continue as you have been doing so effectively, teaching 
> college students, groups, communities, individuals, as well as in public 
> lectures. This is very important. Although you have been asked to assist in 
> many countries, you are most needed in America now."
> 
> "There is too much emphasis upon Administration and not on spirit in 
> America. Too much emphasis upon intellectual concepts and not upon 
> spirit. Some do not know the difference. There is too much delving into 
> mysticism and occultism, "idle fancies and vain imaginings." This is not 
> the Word of God and leads people into the web of vain immaginings from 
> which it is very difficult to become extricated. The only hope for mankind 
> is to turn the word of God as revealed by Bahá'u'lláh in this Day, and obey 
> His laws and precepts. The occultists, like the Christian Scientists, are 
> not pure in heart as they do not recognize the station of Manifestations, 
> and like the Quakers they are not united in the Divine Focal Point, the 
> Manifestation, so they do not have a direct power from God. I hope that you 
> can help them to understand this."
> 
> "Mrs. Moffett, what is your success with the Jews?"
> 
> Ruth replied, "Shoghi Effendi, many times I have been very successful for I 
> love working with them. It seems that when a Jew truly turns to 
> Bahá'u'lláh, he has a deeper sense of the Realities than do those of other 
> backgrounds."
> 
> 
> [page 13]
> 
> The Guardian smiled and nodded and said, "That is good, and what you have 
> said is true. The Jews are very devoted as are the Catholics, when they 
> really turn to Bahá'u'lláh. I hope that you can work more with them Mrs. 
> Moffett, and with the youth. This is very important."
> 
> One evening the Guardian began speaking about the unity of the home and 
> the many homes that are disunited today. He said, "Nothing should be done 
> to disrupt the unity of the home. Each should fulfill his responsibilities to 
> the home and by the law of constant consultation and cooperation and 
> prayer maintain that unity. The one who disrupts it will surely suffer. The 
> family is the institution of God. Everything should be done to preserve it." 
> Several times the Guardian spoke on this point. Later he said, "Nothing 
> should be done to upset the family unity. Try to interest the unBahá'í 
> husband to leave the city and go to some goal city to pioneer, where there 
> is a new environment and a needed goal. Do everything possible to uphold 
> the family unity and to win him to love and service in the Faith. That is 
> the greatest success and protection for both. There will be a world civil 
> war and after that a great unification. This must begin with the unity of 
> the family and the friends. Mrs. Moffett, help the friends to understand 
> this and to accept and serve the Word of God in this Day, as it is the most 
> important thing in life."
> 
> "In America there is too much emphasis upon Administration and not 
> enough on spirit. We should remember that progress is made from crisis to 
> crisis. We must learn to meet the crisis in the right way. The crisises can 
> not be avoided. The law of crisis is noted in all phases of life. We are now 
> entering a new phase of life. Now is the time of the change of the tide of 
> human history. It is the time of individual as well as world crisis. It can 
> be met in the right way only by the power of Bahá'u'lláh in the Day."
> 
> The Guardian many times spoke of Africa and the remarkable progress 
> there. One evening he ended his remarks by saying, "Africa is the country 
> of greatest opportunities to teach the Faith and the safest of 
> countries."
> 
> "Yes, Mrs. Moffett, move out of Chicago to a small city or village. The city 
> people are deaf and blind and the village people are open to the Truth. Your 
> Seminar method is very good. I hope that you continue as you have been 
> doing as it brings results. You have been developing and perfecting this 
> method for a long time and it is good. Concentrate on confirming souls as 
> you have been doing. God has given you this greatest of blessings. Thank 
> Him continually for this great bounty."
> 
> "Do not worry about pioneering and serving the Cause. You have been and 
> are doing it. Do not worry about jobs and means. Go and you will find that 
> means will come. Have faith and put the faith into activity." Ruth said that 
> her money had all been going instead of coming, but she had the Faith in 
> that great spiritual law, "According to thy faith shall thy powers and 
> blessings be." She said that millions of things had come, more than money 
> could possibly buy. Undreamed of things had miraculously worked out, 
> thanks to Bahá'u'lláh. She prayed for strength to keep faith unwavering at 
> all times.
> 
> One day Ruth received a letter from Josephine Kruka from Finland, asking 
> her to ask the Guardian if sometime she (Ruth) could come to help in 
> Finland. Ruth showed the Guardian the letter. He said, "Yes it is god for you 
> to go to Finland sometime, but not right away, not on this trip, but later, 
> and not to settle permanently. Yes, it will be good for you to go there 
> later. Yes they would like to have you help in Australia, but you are not 
> needed as much in Australia as elsewhere. You would be of great help in 
> many countries but you are need most in America."
> 
> "You, Mrs. Moffett, have already rendered historic service. You not only 
> convert, as many do, but you confirm. The most important work in the 
> entire world is to Quicken souls and to inspire them into active service. 
> You are one of the few people who are able to confirm souls. Many lecture, 
> but that does not confirm. You have a long and enviable record of bringing 
> souls to confirmation, which few others have. You lead them gently and 
> lovingly up the necessary steps. In teaching, these steps are necessary.
> 
> 
> 
> [page 14]
> 
> 1. Favorable Attention: 2. Interest: 3. Desire to do something: 4. conviction 
> or Conversion: 5. Confirmation: 6. Service: 7. Consecration. Too many 
> teachers stop before the step of confirmation, the step which stirs into 
> action, service. This is much more important that Administration. Anyone 
> can administer, but only a true teacher can teach and confirm. You have 
> been greatly blessed by this gift from God. I hope that you will continue as 
> you have been doing. You are greatly needed in America to help make the 
> goals. I am very disappointed in America. They have failed this past year. I 
> am not referring to you, Mrs. Moffett. You have continued in spite of the 
> difficulties, and you will be rewarded by God."
> 
> "Those who will not disperse will suffer physically, economically and 
> most of all, spiritually because they have not listened and obeyed. They 
> have not listened to the warnings of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá, who 
> warned that 'the fire of materialism will devour the great cities, which 
> are like Babylon and Ninivah and Sodom and will be destroyed,' Christ 
> warned, "Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her 
> plagues." Canada is doing fairly well but U.S.A. has failed. America must be 
> saved and America must rise to meet her great destiny. she must become 
> the moral and spiritual leader of all the nations of the world. You must 
> help her to rise to her great destiny. 'Abdu'l-Bahá will help you."
> 
> Continue to "Send your reports to the N.S.A. and to the A.N.T.C. and to the 
> Area Committees. I had asked you when you were in Haifa before to send 
> me reports regularly. This you have done and I have greatly appreciated 
> them, but I have become too busy to read and enjoy them. I can no longer 
> even write to the N.S.A.'s. Can only send cablegrams. Have you made an 
> effort to reach the Jewish people and also the youth? This important. 
> Perhaps sometime you can work with the Jews in Israel. I hope that you 
> will continue in just what you are doing in larger and larger fields. 
> Bahá'u'lláh will guide and bless you in our selfless and sacrificial 
> efforts."
> 
> "In the Bahá'í world especially, we do not want to see homes broken up, 
> especially Bahá'í homes. Try to help the friends to live the life, and try to 
> win the blind and resistant husband or wife to the teachings for this Day, 
> the observance of which will bring true happiness." Then turning to Ruth 
> he said, " You are needed in America more than any place else. You can 
> speak in universities and colleges and clubs as few other teachers can do. 
> You are needed in many places. I hope that nothing will interfere with your 
> teaching work."
> 
> One evening the Guardian said, "I have written and praised and warned and 
> spoken with great firmness, and yet the friends of America seem to pay no 
> attention. They seem concerned only with their own interests* spiritually 
> for being so heedless and so immature. Now they must mature more 
> rapidly and not act like other children." Ruth must have looked downcast 
> for the Guardian smiled and said, "I do not mean you, Mrs. Moffett, but you 
> must warn them in no uncertain terms for their own good. The heedless 
> ones in the big cities are already trapped."
> 
> Several times the Guardian spoke of the great destruction in the world. 
> One evening he said, "There will be a great amount of destruction in the 
> world, in Europe, Asia, in the U.S.A., in the Pacific, along the coasts and 
> even in Africa, wherever bases have been established. The White race will 
> be diminished to almost nothing and will be unimportant in the future. We 
> can do nothing about the calamities. We can do everything about the Faith. 
> There is a great need for the awakening of the Assemblies. The more 
> Administration in the form of committees, etc., the less the spirit and the 
> slower the Teaching work. We need only enough Administration to bring 
> results and to hold things together. The hands will have charge of all the 
> teaching work. The Auxiliary boards will be representatives, assistants, 
> and advisors to the friends. Keep in close touch with them. The Hands will 
> assist you."
> 
> 
> *Insert - "and possessions. They will suffer physically as well as 
> materially 
> 
> 
> [page 15]
> 
> "Everything is declining in America. Things are so trivial and amaturish, 
> and casual. We should express dignity, poise, and maturity for the things 
> related to the Faith. Nothing is too good for the Faith, and it should be in 
> good taste and appropriate. They should leave the great cities and disperse 
> that the Faith may grow and save mankind. Those who do not respond will 
> loose everything, London, Paris, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, will all 
> be bombed! Yes, they will evaporate! Everything! America is stagnant! 
> America must be saved! This is why the believers must disperse that the 
> Faith may live and that they may not wither and die. Those who now fail to 
> answer to the summons of the Ten Year Crusade will suffer both 
> materially and spiritually.' Those who do not respond to the Command of 
> God will feel the double suffering. Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá both 
> warned of this. This is very grave challenge and those who do not meet it 
> will deeply regret it. Help the friends understand this. It must be 
> presented to them wisely."
> 
> Shoghi Effendi said that he had been told that some of the friends are 
> disturbed over reports brought back by the pilgrims concerning the 
> dangers facing America in the future whenever another world 
> conflagration breaks out. He says that he does not feel that the Bahá'ís 
> should waste time dwelling on the dark side of things. Any intelligent 
> person can understand from the experiences of the past world war, and 
> keeping abreast of what modern science has developed in the way of 
> weapons for any future war, that big cities all over the world are going to 
> be in tremendous danger. This is what the Guardian said to the 
> pilgrims.
> 
> He urged the Bahá'ís, for the sake of serving the Faith, to go out from 
> these centers of materialism... He strongly believes that the field outside 
> of the big cities is more fertile, and that the Bahá'ís will in the end be 
> happier. If the friends are concerned about obedience to civil government, 
> how much more should they be concerned about obedience to the laws of 
> Bahá'u'lláh and the directives of our Guardian.
> 
> He reminded us of the powerful words of Bahá'u'lláh in Prayers and 
> Meditations, 208, "Armed with the power of Thy Name nothing can ever 
> hurt me and with Thy love in my heart all the world's afflictions can in no 
> wise alarm me." P&M p-208
> 
> It is better to use the words "Devotional Gatherings" or "Hour of 
> Devotions," rather than "Sunday Service." Be creative, not just imitators. 
> and a new way to chant prayers, that is more inspiring and not so 
> monotonous.
> 
> The most Holy Places in the order of their importance are : 1-Akka, 2-
> Haifa, 3-Baghdad, 4-Shiraz, 5-Teheran, 6-Istanbul or Constantinople. 7-
> Adrianople.
> 
> The Persian Temple will be larger than the one in Germany but smaller 
> than the one in Wilmette. The American Temple is the mother of the West. 
> The one in Ishqubad, is the Mother Temple of the East. Bahá'u'lláh is the 
> Divine Youth foretold by the Bab. He was only 27 when He made His 
> declaration. He expresses youth and vitality of the Spirit.
> 
> It is a sacred duty to pay one's debts, if possible, before becoming a 
> Bahá'í.
> 
> There will be great destruction, yes world civil war in Europe, U.S., Israel, 
> the Islands of the Pacific, even in Africa, wherever bases are established. 
> The White race in Africa will be almost diminished and will be 
> unimportant in the future. The difficulty will be racial, civil, religious, all 
> over the world. There is nothing to keep the Soviets from marching into 
> Israel. Teheran and Baghdad are also in great danger. Oil is the goal. The 
> Heart of the Bahá'í world, Haifa, and the Cradle of the Faith, Chicago, and 
> the greatest strongholds of the Administrative Institutions are all in 
> danger. The Bahá'ís must pray that God will mercifully protect the Faith, 
> as in the past. This is all due to the decline in religion and of materialism 
> and of spiritual decadence.
> 
> 
> [page 16]
> 
> Love, self-sacrifice and devotion bring results in the Faith rather than 
> plans, ability, and any universal status.
> 
> It is very important to reach the native people whenever possible. It is 
> more important to concentrate on Istanbul than on Ankara, even though it 
> is the Capital, for six reasons. 1-Because Istanbul is the city where 
> Bahá'u'lláh suffered and was imprisoned by the Sultan. 2-Because it is the 
> key to the whole Black Sea Area. 3-Because it is the meeting point 
> between East and West. 4-Because it was the ancient capital. 5-Because 
> the Haziratu'l-Quds will be built there. 6-Because the N.S.A. of Turkey will 
> be established there.
> 
> Ruth spoke of the lengthy article by a group of radio active geiger counter 
> scientists during the geophysical year, who are opening up some 
> knowledge of past cycles of human history. They state that all larger 
> cycles seem to be divided into 6000 year cycles, and at the end of each 
> great changes take place, as at the end of this 6000 years, not of building 
> great over-crowded cities, but on a pattern of village building adapted to 
> the new age of science. The Guardian smiled and remarked, "Yes, I am glad 
> that the scientists are beginning to discover what Bahá'u'lláh stated 
> almost a century ago. Science is making progress."
> 
> Our Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, stated that the United States was chosen as 
> the Cradle of the New World Order, not because of its spiritual qualities, 
> but because of its corruption, the same as Persia was chosen for the 
> Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh because the Persians were worse than the 
> African savages and far more barbaric.
> 
> After the coming calamity the United States will fulfill the prophecy that 
> the United States will suffer, then it will lead all the nations spiritually. 
> He said that he has given up warning the friends, as they paid no heed to 
> either the warnings of Abdu'l-Bahá nor to Shoghi Effendi. They must suffer 
> to awaken.
> 
> It is too late to save the world. The Message of Bahá'u'lláh has been in the 
> world over one hundred years to save mankind, but it has been rejected all 
> over the world. The calamity will be sudden. He spoke of the American 
> statesman from the President down, all are helpless and impotent. The 
> United States is not now an altruistic nation. You help others to help 
> yourselves.
> 
> The Russian submarines will paralyze Great Britain, the United States, 
> Europe, the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediteranean seaboards. The Bahá'ís have 
> failed with the Negros in the United States. Intermarriage is good, 
> between races. It brings out the best in both races. Americans love money, 
> wives, family, friends, possessions. There is a sad decline in home life, 
> morals, art, music, money, everything.
> 
> Bahá'ís should not only leave their homes but go away as far as possible 
> from the coasts and to where they can serve the Cause of God. Victories 
> come only from sacrifice and self-abnegation. The greater the sacrifice 
> the greater the victory. Bahá'ís should lower their standards of living in 
> order to give more to the Faith.
> 
> We must be careful with governments and reckless with missionaries. 
> More settlers should go from the United States to France and to the 
> Scandinavien countries. Do not think that you can rest on your oars after 
> this ten year crusade. The Guardian has 19 new teaching plans to be 
> launched after this Ten Year plan is completed.
> 
> We should use Dr. George W. Townshends latest book, "Christ and 
> Bahá'u'lláh" because it is the most scholarly and portrays the Kingdom of 
> God upon the earth. (This note was added later after Ruth Moffett had 
> visited Dr. Townshend in Dublin, at the Guardian's request, and delivered 
> his message to him, all of which caused or enabled him to complete the 
> book at a time when he could no longer write. This again shows the cosmic 
> power of prayer and love and faith. It is a wonderful story.)
> 
> 
> [page 17]
> 
> The coming calamity will be worse than war! Whole cities will evaporate! 
> Especially in those cities here it is harder to teach the teach the Faith 
> such as New York, Chicago, San Francisco. People will loose all their 
> possessions and homes over night. They will simply evaporate! Americans 
> will become refugees in other countries and continents. The United States 
> will suffer most because it is the most materialistic. Europe was the 
> cradle of materialism but the united States is the stronghold of 
> materialism. Russia will also suffer greatly. There is little difference 
> between the United States and Russia in their systems because both are 
> materialistic. Capitalism is purely materialistic, and Communism is 
> purely materialism. both control the proletariat. Both will suffer greatly. 
> The calamity will be retributive.
> 
> The earth will be covered mostly by dark skinned people and these of the 
> so-called uncivilized nations, not submerged materialism, "The limbs of 
> mankind shall quake" will apply more to the U.S.A. because of the 
> importance of the U.S.A. and her great destiny. Many countries are over 
> populated with people of bad blood. This must be cleansed. Science in the 
> future will solve the food problem. The calamity will happen before the 
> Lesser Peace. If the U.S.A. and Great Britain fail on the home fronts the 
> Baghdad Conference may not take place. America must become the moral 
> and spiritual leader of all the nations!!!!
> 
> Another evening, the Guardian said, "London, Paris, New York, Chicago, San 
> Francisco are already trapped. There are Russian submarines along the 
> Atlantic and Pacific coasts now." Some of the friends find it difficult to 
> leave their homes and to pioneer, even to move to goals within their own 
> country. They do not see that we are not asking them to sacrifice. We are 
> protecting them from great difficulty and from themselves. We are not 
> only protecting them from the calamity that is rushing toward them 
> outwardly, but from the calamity that is rushing toward them 
> inwardly."
> 
> One evening the Guardian spoke of certain National Committees. He said, 
> "They did fine work in fulfilling their goals in such a short time, but like 
> an unwise mother training her child, leaving it a little well dressed, 
> polite nonentity. Some of these National Committees have not brought any 
> new souls into the Faith, but are over-administered as was the N.S.A. of 
> America."
> 
> "England went through a period also when it was too over administered, 
> but they have a good balance now. In America they still repress some of 
> the best teachers and build up a certain individual. Every good teacher that 
> can teach should be encouraged and assisted. The progress of the world 
> depends on the way we teach and the way we function today in our untied 
> efforts. We must know the Teachings and how to best present them. We 
> must have loving understanding, consultation, cooperation, and prayer 
> together and for one another. Each one is important and has his part to 
> fill. We are all bits of mosaic in the great Divine plan, and must not 
> mar the pattern by failing to fulfill our part."
> 
> "In the Western world the people do not like to be commanded or to obey. 
> They say, 'No one can push me around!' The Guardian does not command 
> anyone. The Guardian wishes only to guide and protect the friends." That 
> night Ruth wrote in her notebook: Here you loose the forever the feeling 
> that so many in the West seem to have, of rebellion against command, and 
> you long to have the Guardian command you to do something that you may 
> obey. His words are always suggestions and pointing the way. You see 
> obedience in the new light of protection, and in the joy of service, of 
> accomplishment and of attainment.
> 
> Ruhaniyyih Khanum inquired about Ruth's husband Robert and said "I have 
> always admired and loved him. He has the capacity to do great things for 
> the Faith. That means power and success! Go to a goal city and build it up. 
> As the Guardian suggested, leave Chicago and never mind about the job 
> first. Move first and the new opportunities will open up for you as you are 
> ready for them. As one serves the Cause and has the faith he will find that 
> all will be well and work for the best. As you work together you efforts 
> will be crowned with power and success. Remember, Ruth, the Guardian 
> said that your work is outstanding. Together you can make it even more 
> so."
> 
> 
> [page 18]
> 
> Several times the Guardian spoke to Ruth about teaching through-out the 
> Near-East and Europe on her return from Haifa. One evening he said: "I hope 
> Mrs. Moffett, that you will go throughout the Near East and Europe and the 
> British Isles, meeting as many of the friends as you can and help them to 
> understand the spirit of the Shrines, the nature of the Ten Year Crusade 
> and the Divine plan. I hope that you can teach is as many Summer 
> Schools as possible both in Europe and America. You have something that 
> they very much need. Stress the points in my recent cablegrams and 
> help them to understand the importance of the global Crusade, and that 
> this is the most important decade in all human history. The future is 
> dependent upon the events of this decade. The future of mankind is 
> dependent upon what the friends do today! If they do not arise as they 
> should today, Bahá'u'lláh has stated that he will raise up another people 
> and our opportunity shall be lost forever. Please stress these things in 
> no uncertain terms, but wisely."
> 
> "Help the pioneers and friends to understand all the points that I have 
> mentioned and especially these nine points. 1-Persevere, 2-Sacrifice, 3-
> Remain in your post until an Assembly is well established, 4-Live the life, 
> 5-Keep active, 6-Love all the people, 7-Teach! Teach! Teach! 8-Establish a 
> strong Assembly, 9-Pray and meditate continually!"
> 
> "Your book, 'Do'a The Call To Prayer' is very helpful. More should use and 
> study it, especially the Five Points of Prayer which I gave to you when you 
> were in Haifa years ago. One cannot succeed with out prayer. Help the 
> friends to learn more of the prayers so that they do not have to depend 
> upon a book. also they should speak the words. Thinking the words is not 
> sufficient. If you are where you cannot speak the words aloud, speak them 
> without putting the voice into them. They are much more potent in that 
> way."
> 
> "Mrs. Moffett has developed a very fine chart, The Cause of the Rise and 
> Fall of Civilizations." As the Guardian said this, Ruhiyyih Khanum rose and 
> handed the big chart to the Guardian from a serving table. He unrolled it 
> and pushed aside his plates and silver and anchored it down with his cup 
> and water glass. He said; "I had advised against the use of certain charts 
> that have been sent to me that were incorrect and misleading. I did not 
> advise against all charts, as I use the chart method myself. Mrs. Moffett's 
> chart is in a special class. It is based upon history. It is a graph of the 
> cycle as one would illustrate the solar system. It is a chart which 
> establishes relationships. It is very fine. She has permission to use it 
> wherever she feels there is a need. It is the result of her search and not a 
> Bahá'í chart, as it was not made by 'Abdu'l-Bahá nor the Guardian. Bahá'ís 
> need it and it is good for use in college classes and for those of a 
> Christian and Moslem background. It is very convincing."
> 
> "Every Bahá'í should teach according to his ability and all who teach 
> groups and speak in public should be trained in classes for that purpose. 
> The Bahá'í must not practice on the public. The very best presentation is 
> never good enough. Teachers should be carefully trained and constantly 
> strive to improve their presentation, giving more and more of the deeper 
> realities, with the spirit that has been released in the world by 
> Bahá'u'lláh. The time has come when the friends must study more 
> thoughtfully and teach and travel to all parts of the world. Love and 
> sincerity will take you anywhere. Teach with warm, loving enthusiasm and 
> dignity. It takes concentration and purity of heart to teach. We are being 
> called to higher standards, and to greater unity of spirit. This is our 
> protection."
> 
> On the last evening the Guardian said: "It is good for you to go to Germany 
> and to Vienna if you can. The German people have suffered much, and need 
> what you have to give them. Go to as many places as you can throughout 
> Europe and the British Isles. It would be well for you to teach in as many 
> Summer Schools as you can, both in Europe and America. You will be of 
> great help to them. You have something that they much need. But work in 
> the U.S.A. where you are needed most, all over North America. I am 
> disappointed in America. They are too much interested in administering 
> something or somebody and in publicity rather than in reaching souls with 
> the only healing remedy, the remedy for mankind. I hope that you can help 
> them reach souls, with the love and spirit of Bahá'u'lláh."
> 
> 
> [page 19]
> 
> The Guardian turned directly to Ruth and said; "Mrs. Moffett, your work has 
> been outstanding!" Then he turned to the members of the International 
> Council and said; "There are few that have brought others into the 
> Cause as has Mrs. Moffett. There should be a thousand like her. She is 
> self-sacrificing, loving, understanding, well-organized, sincere and 
> consecutive. She leads her students step by step until she firmly brings 
> them into the Faith. Then she trains them to carry on. She is like Martha 
> Root and Dorothy baker, and speaks in the universities and colleges. 
> Few are equipped to do that. Her work is historic. I am proud of her. She 
> is the Martha Root of America!
> 
> The Guardian rose, and all at the table rose. As he held out his hand and 
> said, "Farewell," to Ruth, he said; "Be not discouraged, Mrs. Moffett, your 
> work is historic. I am proud of you. Go on just as you have been doing. May 
> Bahá'u'lláh lead you into even greater work and bless you! I hope that you 
> will come again to Haifa where you will always be most welcome." Then 
> the Guardian took both of Ruth's hands in his hand, and with the sweetest 
> smile said, "I shall pray in the Shrines that you may become an 
> unobstructed channel of great power reaching thousands of people." Then 
> he pressed her hand in farewell and said with the most heart-warming 
> smile; "I am expecting great things of you, Mrs. Moffett, and please tell 
> the friends that I send them my love and greetings, and tell them that I am 
> expecting great things of them also during our Global Crusade. God Speed!" 
> Then he was gone!
> 
> Ruth stood speechless and breathless after the powerful last words of the 
> Guardian. She felt stunned by all that he had said about her work, that he 
> was proud of her, that her work was historic. She felt that she would 
> strive even more to measure up to what the Guardian said of her. Ruhiyyih 
> Khanum said; "The Guardian seldom speaks with such power and fire."
> 
> As Ruth stood stunned and speechless, her eyes drank in hungrily the last 
> glimpse of the beloved Guardian as he disappeared in the doorway. She 
> thought happily that he had invited her to come again to Haifa. Then a 
> staggering thought flashed through her mind. "Bahá'u'lláh has endowed 
> you with one of the greatest gifts - the power to confirm. Thank God for 
> this great gift and bring Him even greater fruitage." In that moment, 
> when her heart seemed to be torn out by the roots at parting, she 
> dedicated her life in greater service to the beloved Guardian, even should 
> he not be visible among us, and breathed a prayer; "O God, forgive my 
> weakness and failings and help me to know and do Thy will!"
> 
> It was heavenly to be alone and kneel at the bed of the beloved Master and 
> feel His loving presence. And to have the last midnight hour with dear 
> Ruhiyyih Khanum and Millie in Millie's room in prayer, and meditating on 
> the words of the beloved Guardian. This hour was most precious! 
> Throughout all eternity I shall be grateful for these heavenly days in 
> this blessed spot.... the spiritual Kaaba of the world. ALLAH'U'ABHA!
> 
> 
> [page 20]
> 
> Part II "B"
> 
> OUR GUARDIAN SPEAKS
> 
> 
> Many people have visited the Guardian at Haifa, yet each one brings back a 
> little different impression of the Guardian and of his statements to the 
> pilgrims. Therefore, these notes are the personal, individual impression of 
> this pilgrim, written down daily with the help of the secretaries of the 
> International Council.
> 
> One night the Guardian said, "Pilgrim notes are very important. They 
> should be eagerly received as they bring the Spirit of the Shrines, and the 
> station of the Guardianship, and the frist-hand impressions which the 
> cablegrams and letters cannot convey. Of course they cannot be 
> authoritative, as they are not written by the Master or the Guardian, but 
> they are very important, and should be so considered."
> 
> It is a joy and a privilege to share with you some of the wisdom and rich 
> experiences and the knowledge from His Excellency, Shoghi Effendi 
> Rabbani, our beloved Guardian.
> 
> Ruhiyyih Khanum said she had a dream one night: she dreamed that the dam 
> had burst and that there was a great flood, She rushed down to the water's 
> edge to try to save someone, but the current swept them past. She reached 
> out to try to grasp and save another. She grasped one by the hair, and, with 
> great effort, brought that one to shore. Then she tried to reach another, 
> but the current swept him by. She looked up at the side of the mountain, 
> and there she saw 'Abdu'l-Bahá, who looked like a Prophet of God, with his 
> white turban and flowing beard, with his back to the flood, working very 
> hard. She rushed up the mountain side, grasped His sleeves and said, "Oh, 
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá, come and help me save some of these people who are 
> drowning in the flood." 'Abdu'l-Bahá went right on, working very rapidly 
> and said nothing. She grasped his sleeve again and said, "Oh 'Abdu'l-Bahá, 
> these people are drowning, come help me save some of these people who 
> are drowning in the flood." 'Abdu'l-Bahá, without stopping his work turned 
> to her with a smile and Said, "'Abdu'l-Bahá is building the machine to stop 
> the flood." (That is what is taking place in the world today)
> 
> The Guardian said, one evening that world unity will be securely 
> established in the twentieth century. Bahá'u'lláh does not wish the 
> countries to be deprived of kingship, so when there are enough Bahá'í 
> states, they will follow the injunction of Bahá'u'lláh. Then he made the 
> surprising statement that America will one day have a king. Kingship, as 
> known at present, will disappear, but will later be re-established. Then he 
> stated that fourteen or fifteen kings have fallen as the result of the 
> unawareness and the resistance to the message of Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> Muhammad, who wrote to the kings said that if Ceasar did not respond to 
> the Tablet that he wrote to him, that Constantinople would fall to the 
> Moslems, and this tradition is in a tablet on the wall of St. Sophia.
> 
> Kings will not have political power in the future, but will be honorary, and 
> they will represent the majority of the people who have turned toward 
> God. They will be in a position that will be in harmony and cooperation 
> with the Universal House of Justice.
> 
> After the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, we know that the Persian dynasty 
> completely changed and the Turkish Empire Fell. The Guardian said that we 
> must base our work on the Divine Plan and use the Divine Institutions to 
> do it. These, only, will bring success. These Institutions were not created 
> at the same time when our beloved Martha Root lived, and so there was not 
> success at that time in the creating of groups.
> 
> The Guardian spoke of the evolution of the World Order; that the L.S.A. and 
> Institutions in the days of the Master were the germ of World Order. The 
> Administrative order, is, itself, an embryo; the World Order is the child 
> and the offspring, World Order will gradually develop in the Golden Age 
> and reach the stage of "the coming of age" of mankind. This stage will 
> happen at the close of the Golden Age. World Order
> 
> 
> [page 21]
> 
> will evolve in the course of the Golden Age until it will reach its period of 
> "coming of age"; then it will gradually mature. To illustrate - we know 
> that a man matures at the age of forty. It is a short period from the time 
> of boyhood to the "coming of age", but a long period from the "coming of 
> age" to maturity, and that is the most important time in all one's life. It is 
> important to know the Genesis of World Order. It is the result of the union 
> of the law of Bahá'u'lláh, the positive generating factor and covenant of 
> Bahá'u'lláh and the mind of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. The union of the two gives rise to 
> the birth of the Administrative Order which started in the formative age 
> and matures toward the close of the Bahá'í cycle.
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh says that there will be in every 500,000 years, only one 
> Revelation that can be compared to his Revelation. The Master established 
> it in the Tablet. We must make a distinction between the station of 
> Manifestations and the Station of Bahá'u'lláh. There will be a series of 
> Major Prophets, each with a book, added laws and truth, and each may 
> abrogate previous ones, but they will be under the Light of Bahá'u'lláh. All 
> will be law givers, Founders of a new Dispensation, major Prophets, and 
> yet they will be under the Light of Bahá'u'lláh. The World Order will 
> mature in the course of a series of dispensations.
> 
> So many times it is asked, "But why should Bahá'u'lláh have such a high 
> station?" I will explain. Because His Revelation coincides with a stage 
> unique in the evolution of humanity, namely, the coming of age of the 
> human race. This has never happened before and could never happen again 
> at any time upon this planet.
> 
> This planet was not discovered when Muhammed appeared, and America 
> was not discovered when Christ appeared, nor much even of the Far East; 
> so it was impossible for Christ and Muhammed, or the Prophets before 
> them, to stress the unification of man. First the world must be 
> discovered, then science must develop, then the world must contract. This 
> makes the coming of age the culmination of the 6000 year process so 
> important.
> 
> Nothing more important could happen to man than reaching the age of 21. 
> something happens inside of him, physically, psychologically, and 
> spiritually. Maturity is reached at the age of 40, and that is due to the 
> change that came over him at 21. What happens at 21 is more important 
> than what happens at 40, or any other time of life, because what happens 
> at 40 is determined by what happened at 21. that is why the Revelation of 
> Bahá'u'lláh is so important; that is why those that recognize it and turn to 
> Him are alive and those who turn away are as dead!
> 
> This is the answer that Bahá'ís must give when people object to the 
> Bahá'ís saying that other Prophets will appear under the Light of 
> Bahá'u'lláh. This is the only answer that we can give adequately just now. 
> No Revelation after Bana'u'llah will be final. It is progressively and 
> indefinitely so, but future Revelations will be under the light of 
> Bahá'u'lláh and be less in spirit!
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh's claims are tremendous, challenging, but reasonable. The 
> claims of the Moslems and Catholics are neither challenging, nor 
> reasonable, nor tremendous. No one had made a greater claim in our 
> history than Bahá'u'lláh, and no one has made a lesser claim than 
> Muhammed, because he stressed the less challenging aspect of God.
> 
> In the Ighan, page 178-181, Bahá'u'lláh gives all the stations of the 
> Manifestations of God. He quotes them. He says, "If We say We are 
> servants, We are right. If We say We are God, We are right. Muhammed 
> claimed only to be a Messenger of God, the least challenging. Bahá'u'lláh 
> did the opposite, He claimed to be the Revelation of God, the Glory of 
> God! All reflect the Divine Spirit tho' the mission of each is 
> different.
> 
> When one claims a very high station, all lower ones are included in that 
> statement. Previous Prophets were all preliminary Manifestations, 
> preparing the way for the Promised One and those under His shadow, like 
> John in the Revelations to Christ, and the Bab to Bahá'u'lláh. Because this 
> is the Cycle of Maturity.
> 
> 
> [page 22]
> 
> The process of World Order starts only with the Bahá'í Revelation; the 
> Administrative order, the L.S.A.'s and institutions are the embyro. We are 
> now entering the third stage. It will gradually lead to World Order, 
> the offspring. It will pass through seven stages. 1-
> Obscurity, 2- Repression, 3-Emancipation, 4-
> Recognition, 5-Establishment, 6-Sovereignty, 7-
> Emergence of the Bahá'í World Commonwealth. That means the 
> coming of age of the human race, the establishment of the Most Great 
> Peace. This is the Golden Age and the evolution of humanity. These 
> processes will join and they will reach the stage of the birth of World 
> Civilization!
> 
> This is the starting point for a succession of dispensations, culminating 
> in the maturity of the human race. The maturity of the fruit of the Tree of 
> Progressive Revelation, and the maturity of human society will progress 
> all together.
> 
> The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh is purely Bahá'í now, but at the same time 
> the world is progressing, divine revelation, also is progressing. World 
> Order and human society can no longer be a separate process. The Bahá'í 
> World Commonwealth will begin to mature near the end of the Bahá'í 
> dispensation, not cycle. This leads to the birth of the fruit of the golden 
> Age!
> 
> The coming of the Bab is totally different. This is another process. It 
> starts with Adam; in a way it is the evolution of Divine Revelation, but 
> this is a different simile; From Adam to the Bab is represented by the 
> Branch, the Leaf and the Flower. The olive tree is mentioned in the Koran, 
> not without reason. It is a different simile altogether. The Guardian spoke 
> of it in his message to the American convention last Ridvan. He called for 
> this message, and after considerable search it was found and he read this 
> passage; "This is the station of the Bab. I compare it to the fruit, the olive 
> tree sacrifices itself for oil, the oil is ignited. This is Bahá'u'lláh! The fire 
> becomes Bahá'u'lláh." The Dispensation of The Bab is the beginning of the 
> process of diffusion of the Light of Bahá'u'lláh throughout the planet.
> 
> The Koran refers to the tree which belongs neither to the East nor the 
> West, whose oil is so powerful that it ignites itself. This refers to The 
> Bab; when ignited the light becomes Bahá'u'lláh and this happened in the 
> Siyyih Chal. Read Surih of Muhammed called the Light. Quote: "Allah is the 
> light of the heavens and the earth, a likeness of his like is as the pillar on 
> which is the lamp. The lamp is in a glass and the glass is, as it were, a 
> brightly shining star, lit from a blessed olive tree, neither Eastern or 
> Western, the oil whereof almost gives light, though the fire toucheth it 
> not. Light upon light. Allah gives light when he pleases, and Allah sets 
> forth parables for men, and Allah is cognizant of all things." These are the 
> words of Muhammed.
> 
> In the Siyyih Chal there was only a faint flicker of Divine light, soon 
> enveloped by clouds. For ten years it was obscured and eclipsed by 
> calamities. Then, in Baghdad, when Bahá'u'lláh went to Adrianople the light 
> was lighted in a crystal globe, meaning the stage of proclamation of His 
> Mission in Adrianople. It shone more brightly then.
> 
> The light was confined to the East all this time. When Bahá'u'lláh 
> ascended, or passed on, through the Covenant, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the Light 
> struck the fringes of the continents of America, Europe, and Australia. 
> After the Master passed on, as a result of the Light, Shoghi Effendi, the 
> Administrative Order was established. Its father is the Law of Bahá'u'lláh, 
> and its mother, the Covenant of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. The Light spread all over the 
> continents through Shoghi Effendi.
> 
> This is the stage that we are in now, and we are witnessing its unfolding. 
> It is now diffusing its light over all the continents; then, later, it will 
> envelop the whole planet; then in the course of the future, successive, 
> generations, light beams will penetrate. when the Administrative Order is 
> firmly established in every country, this firm establishment will cause 
> the penetration of the Light that gave its first flicker in the year 
> "Nine".
> 
> 
> [page 23]
> 
> In the Koran, the olive is symbolic of the Christian Dispensation, and 
> the fig in the Mosaic Dispensation. In the Tablet of Lawh-i-Ra' to the 
> Prime Minister of Turkey, Bahá'u'lláh said that "once We appeared as 
> an olive tree and the Mount of Olives, or Zetah; and once We appeared 
> as the fig." In another passage in the Koran, Muhammed swears by the 
> fig and the olive, the Mosaic and Christian Dispensations, and by this 
> noble city, which means Mecca. The Moslem Dispensation is not 
> symbolized by a tree, but by a mountain...Mount Paran, near Sinai.
> 
> Missionaries have derided Muhammed for saying that He was 
> swearing by trees, whereas, in reality He meant Dispensations.
> 
> All three mountains are mentioned in Deuteronomy... Mt. Siani, 
> referring to Moses, Mt. Paran to Muhammed, and Mt. Sier to the 
> Christian Dispensation and the ten thousand saints, and Mt. Carmel 
> refers to Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> The light of Bahá'u'lláh is now diffused through Shoghi Effendi over 
> 268 countries and dependencies of the world; and here, in the year 1954, 
> it is almost inconceivable that 110 have been opened, in ten months, 
> the Great Light of Bahá'u'lláh... that means 11 countries per month 
> this year! There is nothing like this in all religious history. 
> The Light of Bahá was not spread by the sword but by the love, sacrifice, 
> effort, education and spirit of the followers of Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> Palestine has undergone many changes and influences. First, it was the 
> Land of Canaan; then King Saul made it a civic state; then David and 
> Solomon were kings expanding its territories. For a long time it was 
> part of Ancient Babylon; then it became a part of the Medo-Persian 
> Empire... and when that fell, it became a part of the Greecian Empire 
> and had the influence of that civilization. It was then taken over by the 
> Holy Roman Empire, and it was at that time that Jesus, the Christ, 
> came... when Palestine was under the heel of Rome. Following that, it 
> became a Moslem country controlled by the Moslems., the Turks, and 
> the Arabs. Then it was an English mandate, in 1918; and from 1948, 
> after the revolution, Israel has been a free state, the Moslems holding 
> the old city of Jerusalem, and Jordan.
> 
> It was in 1948, during the remarkable bloodless revolution, that 
> 4,000,000 Moslems fled from the land, and less than a million Jews 
> marched in and began developing the land. The Jews have suffered for 
> nearly 2,000 years because they persecuted Jesus, the Christ, for three 
> years. How long do you think the Moslems will suffer when they 
> persecuted Bahá'u'lláh, the Glory of God, for fifty years? They will 
> be scattered and persecuted greatly.
> 
> The borders of Israel will be extended far beyond where they are today. 
> The Jews do not know why they have been called "The chosen people." 
> They have been chosen to come and build the state that will become 
> the chalice, holding the precious jewel of the Bahá'í World Center, the 
> Capitol of the World! What a great bounty is theirs! Some day they will 
> know and appreciate the reality of being "chosen" for such a great 
> service!
> 
> On page 75 in S.A.Q., 'Abdu'l-Bahá said the time would come when 
> the whole of Palestine would be returned to the Jews. The Jews are now 
> materialistic and very nationalistic, and not at all spiritual. The 
> fundamental reason why the Jews, after 2,000 years of dispersal, 
> returned to Palestine is to become the supporters of the Faith of 
> Bahá'u'lláh at its World Center. This is their destiny; their immediate 
> destiny is to build up their state which is very valuable to the faith.
> 
> The Arabs would not do this. The Jews are cousins to the British in 
> tenacity and courage. They fought very bravely when defending their 
> Faith. They have great thinkers and scientists among them. They have 
> good scientists and keen business-men, and this is needed to build this 
> state which will become the "chalice for the precious jewel of 
> Bahá'u'lláh".
> 
> I asked the Guardian, "Which is the correct cave of Elijah on Mt. 
> Carmel?" The larger
> 
> 
> [page 24]
> 
> is claimed by the Moslems; the smaller, higher cave, by the Christian 
> Carmelite Monks, over which is the Carmelite Church. The Guardian 
> said that the smaller, higher cave is the correct one... the cave in which 
> all the Prophets, major and minor, had been. It is in this cave in which 
> the monks have kept a candle constantly burning for over 1700 years, 
> and a monk in constant attendance, looking for the Promised One of 
> the day at the end of the days. It was in this cave, in 1888, that 
> Bahá'u'lláh revealed the Tablet of Carmel in a loud voice, so that the 
> priests and monks could hear Him.
> 
> "It is important," the Guardian said, "to memorize the Tablet of 
> Carmel. It is on page 14 in the Gleanings." then he continues and said 
> that Bahá'u'lláh is the Founder of the Shrines on Mt. Carmel, and 
> much more. He is the Founder of the whole set of Institutions on Mt. 
> Carmel. He is the Founder of all the Administrative and Spiritual 
> centers of the World Commonwelth. The Tablet of Carmel is 
> the Charter of the World Center of the Faith. The Will and 
> Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá is the Charter of the Administrative 
> Order. We will build according to the directions of this Charter and the 
> Divine Plan, or third division, which is the Charter for the Propagation 
> of the Faith. All these form The Charter for World Order.
> 
> It is almost six years since the armistice between the Jews and the 
> Arabs, but there is no peace. The Arabs have no intention of 
> establishing peace. They are hostile and vindictive. Fortunately, they 
> are not united. This saves the Jews and protects us as well.
> 
> There are 4,000,000 Arabs in seven states and yet they were defeated by 
> less than a million Jews, and the Jews defeated the British also with 
> their great armies. Then the Guardian smiles, and explained how they 
> did it without adequate men or means.
> 
> We are assured that the Jews will occupy all of Palestine. 'Abdu'l-Bahá 
> said this in S.A.Q. Also, the British Secretary Balfour stated it. Israel, to 
> many, means home. Israel means "Blessing", means "God", "Israel 
> hastening to God", or "the Blessings from God". The decline of Islam is 
> beginning.
> 
> The Arabs suffered great defeat because they persecuted and did not 
> respond to the call of Bahá'u'lláh, and millions of Arabs left Israel and 
> one million Jews moved in. How will the Jews get the land? The Arabs 
> will make trouble and the Jews will drive them out, and the country 
> will be extended. The destiny of Israel is to become a Bahá'í state. They 
> will support the International Institutions of the Faith. World opinion 
> is now pro-Arab. It will later become pro-Israel. This will happen on a 
> world scale. There will be a World Civil War and then a great 
> unification!"
> 
> Did you ever dream that such results would come from Africa, the 
> dark continent? Kampala has set the example for the whole Bahá'í 
> World. America is stagnating and Africa is full of vigor and vitality! 
> Everything is declining in America, the arts, music, the money, the 
> manners. Fear, frustration, disillusionment are everywhere. America 
> is a stagnant pool. There are signs of stagnation everywhere, because it 
> is a materialistic civilization like Babylon, Ninevah, and Rome. They 
> must become more spiritual in America, and less materialistic. 
> Irreligion and godlessness are increasing everywhere, causing more 
> crime. Fear is causing some to go back to church, while in Africa there 
> is vigor and vitality. I am very grateful and proud of Africa. After 50 
> years in America, there are only four Indian tribes that have been 
> touched, while in Africa 70 tribes have been influenced by the Light of 
> Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> 
> [page 25]
> 
> The Guardian said to Mr. & Mrs. Elston, pioneers to Africa, that he 
> wanted a picture of all the African believers together. This can only be 
> accomplished by a Conference, and All-African Conference. It is not yet 
> time, as the Government might become suspicious seeing so many 
> together, but it will be held in the future.
> 
> Mary Elston said that the neighbors were ignoring them, but the 
> Haziratu'l-Quds was like a beehive!
> 
> You are familiar with 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan, which is divided 
> into three seven year divisions. The first two of these have been 
> successfully completed. We have now recently entered into the third 
> division of the Divine Plan, which is our Ten Year Global Crusade, 
> which will be completed in 1963.
> 
> The Guardian gave me very specific directives for the accomplishment 
> of this Ten Year Plan. He asked me to stress some of these objectives in 
> this Plan and the way by which we can bring this about successfully. 
> These are very, very important. He asked me to stress these various 
> points throughout my travels in Europe, America, and the British Isles. 
> 1- The first is systematic and energetic teaching, saying that teaching 
> work is the most all-important part of the Ten Year Plan. 2- Second to 
> that, at all cost, the prizes that have been won must be maintained, 
> with emphasis on the "at all cost". 3- The third is that Assemblies that 
> are now functioning must be maintained, and he emphasized, "by 
> every available means". Then he emphasized the fact that during the 
> next nine years 48 new N.S.A.'s should be established.
> 
> We know how long it has taken us to establish just twelve N.S.A.'s, 
> and so today it looks utterly, completely impossible that within nine 
> years 48 new N.S.A.'s shall be established... But we know that it will be 
> done.
> 
> Then he emphasized the prompt purchase of the sites for the future 
> Bahá'í Temples. He did not say the Temples would be built during the 
> Ten Year Crusade, but the prompt purchase of the sites that are 
> mentioned in the Divine Plan must be made.
> 
> The sixth point is that the funds must be built for the establishment of 
> Haziratu'l-Quds in the capitol cities, and the next dependencies that are 
> in the Plan. He does not say that they must be built, but the funds must 
> be built during this period.
> 
> Another point is the translation of the literature mentioned in the 
> Divine Plan by 'Abdu'l-Bahá. This is already started, and we know that 
> it will be completed ere the nine years are finished.
> 
> The next is the acquisition of all the Holy Places in Iran. The Persian 
> friends, as soon as the Guardian suggests something that should be 
> done, they go and do it. Already all of the Holy Places have been 
> purchased save one, and that is the Shrine of Assiyyih Khanum, the 
> beautiful devoted wife of the Bab. It is a Muhammedan Mosque which 
> they had been unable to get. Recently we learned that the Shrine has 
> been purchased, the remains removed and placed on a new shrine 
> erected for her.
> 
> The tenth point is the construction of a Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in Tihiran 
> and that will be built within the Ten Year Crusade. He stressed the 
> erection of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in Frankfort, Germany, and we 
> know that it will be completed. Just recently, when I was there, with 
> the N.S.A. of Germany in Nechargumund they purchased the site for 
> the first temple. We had a beautiful celebration in commemoration of 
> the purchase of the site. They are anxious to build as soon as possible. 
> What an example after all they have gone through!
> 
> The next point is to build a Dependency in Wilmette, which we know 
> is an Old People's Home. He said, "Build it, and build it promptly!" 
> This might indicate something of the need and the emergency of the 
> times.
> 
> 
> [page 26A]
> 
> Then the Guardian stressed the need of establishing L.S.A. 
> endowments and other needs. This we know has already started — the 
> endowments for the L.S.A.'s and the N.S.A.'s and we have a new direct 
> form of giving for the endowments to take care of the Institutions for 
> the Hands of the Cause in the future.
> 
> The next point he raised was to lend a fresh impetus that L.S.A.'s 
> become incorporated. I found in so many cities in which I travelled 
> that the communities had no idea of the importance of having and 
> L.S.A. incorporated. The Guardian said that when there are fifteen 
> members, if possible, they should become incorporated; without it they 
> are a nonentity, and with it they are an entity and can hold property. In 
> these days it is very, very important.
> 
> The fourteenth point is to establish a Bahá'í Publishing Trust in each of 
> the five continents. "This", he said, "is next in importance to the 
> teaching work".
> 
> Then the Guardian spoke of the objective of the Ten Year Plan in 
> relation to the World Center of the Faith in Israel. His first point is that 
> the preliminary steps be taken for the construction and beautification 
> of the Sepulcher of Bahá'u'lláh in Bahji; following that will be the 
> purchase of land for the building of the Temple on Mt. Carmel. This 
> has already been accomplished, and a pointed monument on a pedestal 
> will be placed upon that site until it is time to erect the Temple. The 
> names of Mason Remey, architect, and Millie Collins, doner, will be 
> engraved upon it.
> 
> The next point was the importance of establishing an International 
> Bahá'í World Court. This is most wonderful, for we know that the 
> World Court of the League of Nations did during a brief period. It was 
> very important and effective as far as it went, but not all nations were 
> members and therefore it was not truly a World Court. Also, it was 
> involved in political affairs in a way that it would not become a 
> perfectly just court. So we can see what it will mean when we can 
> establish an International Bahá'í Court to which any nation can go for 
> advice and help.
> 
> "Then the next directive", he said, " is the construction of the 
> International Bahá'í Archives. This will be built on the Tenth Terrace, 
> over-looking the Monumental Gardens on Mt. Carmel in Israel. The 
> drawings are already completed." "It was my privilege to watch Mr. 
> Mason Remey make the drawings day by day while I was there. Ere 
> long the construction of the Archives will begin. This will be a great 
> asset to the Cause."
> 
> The next point is the extension of the International endowments. The 
> Guardian has already mentioned it, first the extension of Bahá'í 
> endowments, and then the extension of the service of the Hands of the 
> Cause. It has been a year since they were appointed, and now we know 
> that they will be a very important part in establishing forms, methods 
> and systems by which the teaching work can go forth with much 
> greater efficiency.
> 
> The codification of the Laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas is very important 
> because we can break a commandment or an injunction, but when it 
> comes 
> 
> 
> [page 26B]
> 
> to a law, we must obey it to the last letter. When we have the 
> codification of the laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, we can see how that will 
> begin to establish unification in the world greater than any other single 
> means can bring about.
> 
> Another point is to unify the ties binding the community to the United 
> Nations. We know this is already started in the non-governmental 
> committee, but it is not very effective yet. The ties must be 
> strengthened and reinforced, so that through this means, also, world 
> unity will be established.
> 
> The Guardian spoke of the establishment of the Israeli branches of the 
> seven N.S.A.'s on Mt. Carmel. In other words, this is a very important 
> means by which the N.S.A.'s can be linked to the hub of the whole 
> Cause at its Center, owning property in the World Center. This 
> committee will be established to take care of these new institutions and 
> methods of unification.
> 
> The last of these ten points relating to Israel — He said there would be a 
> great world convocation after several world conferences. There will be 
> many Oceanic Conferences. These conferences will be the North Sea 
> Conference, then the Mediterranean Sea Conference, the
> 
> 
> [page 27]
> 
> North Pacific, the South Pacific, then the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean 
> Conference. These will all be swept into a great World Conference 
> Congress in Baghdad in 1963.
> 
> The Guardian said that material civilization is doomed; that all the 
> nations have become corrupt politically and that America is the most 
> politically disturbed nation on earth. The Americans are now living in 
> a fool's paradise, thinking they are safe in overcrowded cities that are 
> full of noise, dirt, and crime. The Bahá'í Friends should leave the 
> corrupt cities, get a bit of land, establish a Bahá'í Community and 
> establish the Bahá'í spirit in preparation of the glorious World Order of 
> Bahá'u'lláh. There will be great distruction, and the Friends should 
> move out of the cities and see what will happen when they build 
> Bahá'í communities in villages.
> 
> "If the Friends of America do not disperse," the Guardian said, "they 
> will suffer materially and spiritually. After 50 years in America, there 
> are only 500 Negro Bahá'ís and in one year there are over 700 in Africa. 
> Those who do not respond to the call and disperse will loose 
> everything, and those who do respond will gain everything. The 
> former will be caught in a trap. London, Paris, New York, Chicago, San 
> Francisco will be bombed. This he repeated several times and said that 
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá warned the believers to solve the racial problem. Because 
> they have not solved it, there have been two wars. The situation is 
> very grave. The believers do not have enough trust in God and 
> detachment. Yes, great cities will evaporate. Everything in them will 
> evaporate!!! The standards which have been so materialistically high 
> and superficial will be lowered and Africa and her standards will be 
> raised.
> 
> "The Global Plan and Bahá'u'lláh will triumph in spite of the neglect 
> of its supporters. If one country falls short, another will make up for its 
> failure. The Friends will loose, but the Cause will go on. If I have the 
> right tools, I can work. I cannot create. God creates. In some mysterious 
> way the instruments are developed. An artisan cannot create the tools 
> he works with. Give him the right tools and he will do the job."
> 
> "There is not enough dedication in the Cause. Intuitively act as soon as 
> I find something that can be used. There is dedication of a few, but 
> dedication must permeate the masses, not just a few. They should 
> study their instincts, habits, environment, prejudices. In the U.S. 
> emphasis is in such trivial things and non-essentials. The Bahá'ís must 
> be quite different from the masses. They must have a new way of life in 
> big as well as in small things, and remember that demonstration will 
> speak louder than words."
> 
> The Guardian said there was too much emphasis on Administration 
> and not enough on the Spiritual. Too miuch emphasis on intellectual 
> concepts and not enough on the spiritual, and some do not know the 
> difference. Delving into occultism, mysticism are idle fancies and vain 
> imaginations. The words of Bahá'u'lláh are words of God, but 
> occultism or mysticism is not the Word of God, and lead people into a 
> web of imagination from which extraction is very difficult. The only 
> hope for man is obedience to the laws and precepts of His chosen 
> Messenger, Bahá'u'lláh!
> 
> The young people should go out on the farms and work with their 
> hands, The new race of men will be wholly devoted to the service of 
> Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> America has become too mechanized; other countries not enough. The 
> husband should have more leisure to develop his soul qualities." 
> "Should a man do so much for religion that he should neglect his 
> family responsibilities?" The Guardian was asked. "No, He should 
> fulfill his family responsibilities; he should never do anything to 
> disrupt the unity of the home."
> 
> The Guardian was asked about the Mormons. He said that Joseph 
> Smith was a Seer, not a Prophet, neither major nor minor; that he had 
> high standards — but we have the power that comes from the Word of 
> God for this age, which they do not have until they turn to 
> Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> 
> [page 28]
> 
> The Prophets are the Mirrors reflecting the attributes of God. The 
> Quakers do not have a Prophet, therefore they do not have the power, 
> though they think they do.
> 
> The L.S.A.'s should not, at this time, spend money on big advertising 
> campaigns, expansion, or on renting big centers.
> 
> The Shrines become the spiritual center of any religious Faith. The 
> spiritual center in the Christian world was first Palestine, then moved 
> to Greece, then Rome, and the Pope is still the spiritual Head of the 
> Catholic world.
> 
> In Islam, the Spiritual Center was first in Mecca, Medina, then 
> Damascus, then Turkey but for centuries the spiritual center has been 
> in Mecca.
> 
> In the Bahá'í World Faith the Shrines will always be the center of the 
> Bahá'í World.
> 
> One evening the Guardian said that President Wilson had taken the 
> fourteen points out of the Bahá'í writings, with which he established 
> the League of Nations; that President Roosevelt had done much for the 
> world in getting foreign ministers together at the zero hour to establish 
> the U.N. and then he said that President Truman was weak and not an 
> efficient diplomat. England was too smart for him; they outwitted him. 
> Today I feel very, very sorry for the President of the U.S., President 
> Eisenhower. He is very sincere, but he is caught in a political web.
> 
> Ruhiyyih Khanum spoke to the Guardian about publishing my book, 
> "The New Keys to the Book of Revelations." She said, "Get it finished, 
> documented, and polished as soon as you can, but there is no money 
> now to publish it. There are other important books that are being held 
> back because of the need of pioneers, and because of lack of funds. That 
> it will be a very valuable book to the Christian world as well as to the 
> Bahá'í world, the Jewish and Moslem worlds. Make it the best you can 
> and finish it as soon as you can. This is very important.
> 
> "The whole foundation of the Administrative Order rests upon the 
> proper functioning of the L.S.A.'s and the Guardian said "Let the old 
> people go to close-by villages, and the young people go pioneering in 
> virgin areas."
> 
> "The Bahá'ís of Asia and America need shock treatment. American 
> Bahá'ís need a shock, and it will have a shock. The American Bahá'ís 
> must be different. They must act as though they were distinguished, 
> above the people of other types and means."
> 
> Then he described the processes in teaching the Faith. "First, there is 
> attraction; then there is interest, then there is conversion, then 
> confirmation, and after that, consecration. "Many become converted 
> but they do not become confirmed. The confirmation comes when the 
> spirit is set on fire to arise to to serve God. The consecration may be 
> after conversion, but more especially after confirmation."
> 
> Why do people have to suffer so much? "Because suffering cleanses 
> and purifies. Suffering is the interior decoration of the heart. The 
> greater the distinction, the greater the attraction. To gain detachment, 
> one must translate the experiences of life into the lessons of the soul."
> 
> The Chrisitian Scientists are blind and they are not pure. They think 
> they are pure, and that they are an example to the world, and that they 
> have a plan.
> 
> The Bahá'ís use God's plan. They have no ulterior motives. They do 
> not expect anything from other people. We do not work for reward in 
> kind. We do not expect money for our institutions
> 
> The American Bahá'ís do not have enough detachment. They need 
> shock treatment. They
> 
> 
> [page 29]
> 
> are in great danger. They will be trapped when they want to get out of 
> the cities.
> 
> The Americans have made many enemies with other countries 
> because of their thoughtlessness, their aggressiveness, and their bad 
> manners. They are purehearted, but immature.
> 
> The Negroes have accepted the Americans because their hearts are 
> pure, childlike, and sensitive.; that is, I am referring to the Africans. 
> Because we are purehearted we can get over the jump. The Africans, 
> also, are purehearted; they are sensitive, suspicious and distrustful. The 
> luxuries will disappear in America. America is a clean country, but 
> Israel is very dirty. Israel must be made clean, but America must have 
> fewer luxuries. The Africans have pure souls and they are not full of 
> nationalism as are most countries.
> 
> It is impossible to describe the Guardian in words any more than one 
> can describe the molten rose-gold of the sunset by saying that it set. The 
> Guardian is like a symphony, so full of music, power and rhythm. He 
> is unique to this planet. It is a spiritual language above description 
> which he seems to eminate. When you speak with him you begin to 
> understand. He is like heavenly music speaking in the language of the 
> spirit. He is not tall, but he seems to grow taller the longer you are with 
> him. His hair is dark and greying at the sides. He has dark eyes that 
> seem to become darker and burn with an inner fire. He has strong, fine 
> regular features and is smooth-shaven, with a small dark mustache. He 
> is sturdy and full of energy. Most expressive are his hands, and we were 
> told they were much like Bahá'u'lláh's.
> 
> His gestures are very graceful and exceedingly expressive. He wore a 
> rust-coloured top coat with a matching tie, usually — though 
> sometimes he wore a black coat with a black tie. He wears a slender 
> gold Bahá'í ring on the second finger of his right hand, and he wears a 
> fez with a black button in the center of the top.
> 
> Almost every evening he brought a cable, or a drawing, or some kind 
> of a document which he laid on the tablecloth and explained. The 
> dinner talks are long, and the table usually seats ten people. The 
> incoming pilgrim is seated at the head of the table the first night, and 
> the second night directly across from the Guardian. Madame Khanum 
> Ruhiyyih sits at his right and the other pilgrims are sitting around him 
> at the table. Thus, the pilgrim is only three feet from him and yet at 
> times it seems a world away.
> 
> The process of the Faith makes him very happy, and we reflect that 
> happiness in our faces and hearts. The reverse makes him go into the 
> valley of Gehenna, and we also. When word comes that we have 
> opened up some new territory or country, and now we have 225 
> opened to the Faith, you can imagine how rejoiced is the Guardian.
> 
> He never says, I or Me, he always says we, or the Friends do or say such 
> and such. No one speaks English as does our Guardian. Each word is a 
> jewel of perfection. He spoke frequently of the Shrine of the the Bab as 
> the Queen of Mt. Carmel, seated upon her white throne with her 
> garments of white trimmed with ermine, and her crown of shining 
> gold.
> 
> We all listen to his vibrant words with rapt attention mixed with awe 
> at his vast knowledge and wisdom and with a growing conscioiusness 
> of the meaning of the authenticated words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá — "He is the 
> sign of God upon the earth! Hear ye him!"
> 
> The Guardian's works, each one, is like a miracle! For example, when 
> the Israeli court awared the house in Bahji which had been occupied by 
> the Covenant Breakers, to the Bahá'ís, that very same day that the 
> decree was awarded, the Guardian had the house demolished and 
> every portion of it carried away and within four and a half days had 
> created a formal garden twelve and a half meters wide and eighty 
> meters long! In the process of making the garden he had a row of large 
> trees uprooted by bulldozers, raised the garden one meter, built roads, 
> paths, planted flowers and shrubbery according to a beautiful design.
> 
> All this monumental work was accomplished in four and a half days!
> 
> The power and capacity of our beloved Guardian! "He is the sign of 
> God upon the earth!"
> 
> 
>  Jump to:
> PART 1. - Brightening Horizons of Israel
> PART 2. - Our Guardian Speaks
> PART 3. - After Glow of Haifa
>
> — *Ruth Moffett's pilgrim's notes (Used by permission of the curator)*