# Lifeblood of the Cause

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Shoghi Effendi, Lifeblood of the Cause, England: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1970/1975, bahai-library.com.
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> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> First Edition: 1971
> Second Edition: 1975
> 
> Number 3 of a series of Compilations issued by the Universal House of Justice. Originally published by
> the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2 South Street, Oakham, England
> 
> By Shoghi Effendi
> 
> Compiled by Universal House of Justice
> 
> Copyright © Bahá’í International Community
> https://www.bahai.org/library/
> 
> THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
> 
> Bahá’í World Centre
> Haifa, Israel
> 
> January 1, 1970
> National Spiritual Assemblies of the
> Bahá’ís of the World
> 
> Dear Bahá’í Friends
> 
> In order to assist the friends everywhere in the proper appreciation of the
> importance and meaning of contributing to Bahá’í Funds, and to remind them as
> well as all Assemblies of the underlying principles that must govern the offering
> and administration of these funds, we have made a compilation of extracts from
> the Guardian’s letters on this subject which we are now sharing with you.
> You may use these extracts in any manner you deem advisable at
> conferences, in summer schools, in deepening classes, and in your newsletters
> and circular letters.
> With loving Bahá’í greetings
> The Universal House of Justice
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> EXTRACTS FROM THE GUARDIAN’S LETTERS
> ON BAHÁ’Í FUNDS AND CONTRIBUTIONS
> 
> January 1970
> 
> I. Importance of Giving
> 
> “And as the progress and execution of spiritual activities is dependent and
> conditioned upon material means, it is of absolute necessity that immediately
> after the establishment of local as well as national Spiritual Assemblies, a Bahá’í
> Fund be established, to be placed under the exclusive control of the Spiritual
> Assembly. All donations and contributions should be offered to the Treasurer of
> the Assembly, for the express purpose of promoting the interests of the Cause,
> throughout that locality or country. It is the sacred obligation of every
> conscientious and faithful servant of Bahá’u’lláh who desires to see His Cause
> advance, to contribute freely and generously for the increase of that Fund. The
> members of the Spiritual Assembly will at their own discretion expend it to
> promote the Teaching Campaign, to help the needy, to establish educational
> Bahá’í institutions, to extend in every way possible their sphere of service. I
> cherish the hope that all the friends, realizing the necessity of this measure, will
> bestir themselves and contribute, however modestly at first, towards the speedy
> establishment and the increase of that Fund”
> (From letter dated March 12, 1923 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and
> Canada, “Bahá’í Administration” pp 41-42)
> 
> “That you may reinforce this Teaching Campaign - so vitally needed in these
> days - and conduct, properly and efficiently, the rest of your manifold activities,
> spiritual as well as humanitarian,, it is urgently necessary to establish that
> Central Fund, which if generously supported and upheld by individual friends
> and local Assemblies, will soon enable you to execute your plans with
> promptness and vigor.”
> (From a letter dated May 6, 1923, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and
> Canada, “Bahá’í Administration” p. 49)
> 
> “With regard to the Bahá’í Fund, recently established among the friends, I trust
> that the matter now stands clear to everyone throughout the country. As I have
> previously intimated, although individual friends and local Assemblies are
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> absolutely free to specify the object and purpose of their donations to the
> National Soiritual Assembly, yet, in my opinion, I regard it
> 
> of the utmost vital importance that individuals, as well as local Assemblies,
> throughout the land should, in view of the paramount importance of National
> Teaching and as an evidence of their absolute confidence in their national
> representatives, endeavor, however small at first, to contribute freely towards the
> upkeep and the increase of the National Bahá’í Fund, so that the members of the
> National Assembly may at their full discretion expend it for whatever they deem
> urgent and necessary.
> (From a letter dated November 26, 1923, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and
> Canada, “Bahá’í Administration” p. 54)
> 
> “It is for the National Assembly ... to exercise its judgment as to what extent the
> resources at their disposal enable them to aid financially the individual
> undertakings of the friends. Should the response of the friends and Assemblies
> to the appeals made on behalf of the National Fund be prompt, sustained and
> generous, the National Assembly will, I am certain, justify its sympathy, good-
> will and genuine cooperation with every individual Bahá’í enterprise. I would,
> however, at this early stage of our work, strongly urge, nay entreat, the friends
> not to dissipate their efforts, but to seek, after frank, mature and continuous
> deliberation, to arrive at a common conclusion as to the most urgent
> requirements and needs of the hour, and having unified their views to strive to
> uphold and enforce them with promptitude, wholeheartedness and
> underatanding.”
> (From a letter dated January 16, 1925, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and
> Canada, “Bahá’í Administration” pp. 76-77)
> 
> “That the work of the National Assembly may be efficiently conducted it is
> incumbent upon their members to seek if feasible the establishment of an
> adequate and permanent centre for their activities which would be widely and
> officially advertised and be recognised as the headquarters of their secretariat.
> To it all communications from the individual friends and local assemblies within
> its province, from the Holy Land and from foreign countries, should be directly
> addressed. It would be its first duty to keep in close and constant touch, without
> exception, discrimination or favour with the various localities and isolated
> believers in it jurisdiction and diligently and promptly distribute to them as well
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> as to the friends abroad amy matters of common concern and general interest.
> “That this cherished aim may materialize and the standard of efficiency be
> maintained, the institution of the National Fund is of paramount importance. I
> would unceasingly urge the individual believers as well as the local assemblies
> throughout India and Burma to arise with heart and soul and generously and
> regularly contribute toward the upkeep and the extension of a fund upon which
> will greatly depend the success of their endeavours.
> 
> “I am personally instructing the Bombay Assembly whose past services
> moral as well as financial to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh in India and elsewhere are
> graven upon my heart, to concentrate their energies upon, and uphold with their
> resources the twin institutions of the National Spiritual Assembly and the
> National Fund. I trust that these amy soon be enabled to shoulder the burden that
> is now weighing upon the self-sacrificing friends of Bombay”
> (From a letter dated March 25, 1925, to the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of India)
> 
> “As to material sacrifices towards the welfare of the Cause he wished you to
> understand that the general interests of the Cause take precedence over the
> interests of particular individuals. For instance contributions to the welfare of
> individuals are secondary to contributions towards the National and Local Funds
> and that of the Temple.
> “This is a general instruction. Of course helping the individuals in case one is
> able to help, is also desirable and merits appreciation.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated November 20, 1925 to an individual believer)
> 
> “In connection with the institution of the National Fund and the budgetary
> system set forth in the minutes of the National Spiritual Assembly, I feel urged
> to remind you of the necessity of ever bearing in mind the cardinal principle that
> all contributions to the Fund are to be purely and strictly voluntary in character.
> It should be made clear and evident to every one that any form of compulsion,
> however slight and indirect, strikes at the very root of the principle underlying
> the formation of the Fund ever since its inception. While appeals of a general
> character, carefully worded and moving and dignified in tone are welcome under
> all circumstances, it should be left entirely to the conscientious believer to
> decide upon the nature, the amount, and purpose of his or her contribution for
> the propagation of the Cause.”
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> (From a letter dated January 10, 1926, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and
> Canada, “Bahá’í Administration” p. 101)
> 
> “The National Fund must be firmly established, generously supported and
> universally and continuously upheld, for it is the prerequisite of future progress
> and achievment. The News Letter should be extended, widely distributed and
> utilized as a means to supply information, coordinate activities and to secure the
> support of all the believers to the Institutions of the Cause. I strongly urge you to
> ensure the success of these two primary and essential organs of our work.”
> (From a letter dated May 25, 1926 to the National Spiritual Assembly of India)
> 
> “In times of dissappointment, stress and anxiety, which we must inevitably
> encounter, we should remember the sufferings of our departed Master. Your
> work, your energy, your vigilance and care, your loving kindness are assets that
> I greatly value and prize. Keep on, persevere, redouble your efforts, repeat and
> re-write the admonitions and instructions of our Beloved in your
> communications with individuals and Assemblies until they sink in their hearts
> and minds. This was truly our Beloved’s way and method and none better can
> we ever pursue. Your present pioneer work will surely be remembered and
> extolled by future generations. My prayers will always be offered for you. In
> matters of contributions we should not use amy compulsion whatsoever and
> ascertain clearly the desire of the donor. We should appeal to but not co-erce the
> friends.”
> (From a letter dated July 9, 1926 to the National Spiritual Assembly of India)
> 
> “As Bahá’ís we should follow the prophet’s method. We know that the Cause
> will ultimately conquer and its ranks be fully united. We know that the Master’s
> promises will ultimately be realised, therefore why be discouraged by trivial
> oppositions we see on our way. We should rather add to our zeal and persist in
> our prayers and endevours. Shoghi Effendi has taken the available measures, and
> by letter as well as cable, has urged the Bombay friends to give a moral and
> material support to the National Fund. It always takes time for a people to
> change from one administration to another. Up to the present they have been
> accustomed to think of the local assemblies as next only to the center of the
> Cause, and it will take some time and training before they can admit another
> superior. The same problem existed in America and for sometime the work of
> the National body seemed to be paralysed. But through personal contact and
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> Shoghi Effendi’s incessant reminding that problem has been solved and now we
> see the National Assembly considered as the only body to undertake matters that
> are beyond the purely local jurisdiction of the local Assemblies.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated September 7, 1926 to the National Spiritual Assembly of
> India)
> 
> “... we should, I feel, regard it as an axiom and guiding principle of Bahá’í
> administration that in the conduct of every specific Bahá’í activity, as different
> from undertakings of a humanitarian, philanthropic or charitable character,
> which may in future be conducted under Bahá’í auspices, only those who have
> already identified themselves with the Faith and are regarded as its avowed and
> unreserved supporters should be invited to join and collaborate. For apart from
> the consideration of embarrassing complications which the association of non-
> believers in the financing of institutions of a strictly Bahá’í character may
> conceivably engender in the administration of the Bahá’í community of the
> future, it should be
> 
> remembered that these specific Bahá’í institutions, which should be viewed in
> the light of Bahá’u’lláh’s gifts bestowed upon the world, can best function and
> most powerfully exert their influence in the world only if reared and maintained
> solely by the support of those who are fully conscious of, and are unreservedly
> submissive to, the claims inherent in the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. In cases,
> however, where a friend or sympathizer of the Faith eagerly insists on a
> monetary contribution for the promotion of the Faith, such gifts should be
> accepted and duly acknowledged by the elected representatives of the believers
> with the express understanding that they would be utilized by them only to
> reinforce that section of the Bahá’í Fund exclusively devoted to philanthropic or
> charitable purposes. For, as the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh extends in scope and
> influence, and the resources of Bahá’í communities correspondingly multiply, it
> will become increasingly desirable to differentiate such departments of the
> Bahá’í treasury as minister the needs of the world at large that are specifically
> designed to promote the direct interests of the Faith itself.
> “From this apparent divorce between Bahá’í and humanitarian activities it
> must not, however, be inferred that the animating purpose of the Faith of
> Bahá’u’lláh stands at variance with the aims and objects of the humanitarian and
> philanthropic institutions of the day. Nay, it should be realized by every
> judicious promoter of the Faith that at such an early stage in the evolution and
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> crystalization of the Cause, such discriminating and precautionary measures are
> inevitable and even necessary if the nascent institutions of the Faith are to
> emerge triumphant and unimpaired from the present welter of confused and
> often conflicting interests with which they are surrounded. This note of warning
> may not be thought inappropriate at a time when. inflamed by a consuming
> passion to witness the early completion of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, we may not
> only be apt to acquisce in the desire of those who, as yet uninitiated into the
> Cause, are willing to lend financial assistance to its institutions, but may even
> feel inclined to solicit from them such aid as it is in their power to render. Ours
> surely is the paramount duty so as to acquit ourselves in the discharge of our
> most sacred task that in the days to come neither the tongue of the slanderer nor
> the pen of the malevolent may dare to insinuate that so beauteous, so significant
> an Edifice has been reared by anything short of the unanimous, the exclusive and
> the self-sacrificing strivings of the small yet determined body of the convinced
> supporters of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. How delicate our task, how pressing the
> responsibility that weighs upon us, who are called upon on one hand to preserve
> inviolate the integrity and the identity of the regenerating Faith of Bahá’u’lláh,
> and to vindicate on the other its broad, its humanitarian, its all-embracing
> principles!
> “True, we cannot fail to realize at the present stage of our work the extremly
> limited number of contributors qualified to lend financial support
> 
> to such a vast, such an elaborate and costly enterprise. We are fully aware of the
> many issues and varied Bahá’í activities that are unavoidably held in abeyance
> pending the successful completion of the Plan of Unified Action. We are only
> too conscious of the pressing need of some sort of befitting amd concrete
> embodyment of the spirit animating the Cause that would stand in the heart of
> the American Continent both as a witness and as a rallying center to the
> manifold activities of a fast growing Faith. But spurred by those reflections may
> we not bestir ourselves and resolve as we have never resolved before to hasten
> by every means in our power the consummation of this all-absorbing yet so
> meritorious a task? I beseech you, dear friends, not to allow considerations of
> numbers, or the consciousness of the limitations of our resources, or even the
> experience of inevitable setbacks which every mighty undertaking is bound to
> encounter, to blur your vision, to dim your hopes, or to paralyze your efforts in
> the prosecution of your divinely appointed task. Neither, do I entreat you, to
> suffer the least deviation into the paths of expediency and compromise to
> obstruct those channels of vivifying grace that can alone provide the inspiration
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> and strength vital not only to the successful conduct of its material construction,
> but to the fullfilment of its high destiny.”
> (From a letter dated October 25, 1929 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and
> Canada, “Bahá’í Administration” pp. 182-184)
> 
> “You asked concerning some plans whereby funds could be gathered for the
> Temple. Shoghi Effendi believes that the best and noblest method is to have free
> donations that are made spontaneously and with the sense of making some
> sacrifice in furthering the Cause. It is with sacrifice that this Temple is to be
> built. This is the truly worthy method. This principle therefore excludes any
> method whereby the help of non-Bahá’ís is included. A Bahá’í Temple should be
> built by the Bahá’ís alone; it is not an ordinary humanitarian activity in which
> the help of any person could be solicied. Anyhow Shoghi Effendi has fully
> explained these matters to the National Spiritual Assembly and you could easily
> refer to them as to further light on the subject.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated April 14, 1932, to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Kenosha,
> Wisconsin)
> 
> “Even though Shoghi Effendi would urge every believer to sacrifice as much as
> possible for the sake of contributing towards the fund of the National Assembly,
> yet he would discourage the friends to incur debts for that purpose. We are asked
> to give what we have, not what we do not possess, especially if such an act
> causes suffering to others. In such matters we should use judgment and wisdom
> and take into our confidence other devoted Bahá’ís.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated May 4, 1932, to an individual believer)
> 
> “Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated May
> 8th, 1932, telling him of some incidents that transpired during the Convention
> this year, especially when funds were collected for the Temple. He was very
> glad to learn of the wonderful spirit that prevailed at those gatherings; for it is
> only through such a spirit of devotion and sacrifice that the Cause can prosper
> and its message embrace the whole world. It was also wonderful to see the
> interest shown by the public in the general gatherings that formed part of the
> Convention program.
> “Shoghi Effendi hopes that as the Temple is gradually completed this interest
> will increase and they will try to share in the spirit that motivates the friends and
> accepting the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, arise to serve it and dedicate their life to its
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> spread.
> “Such gatherings for collections of funds are permissible if it is done with a
> true spirit of sacrifice, not when the audience is especially aroused to a frenzy
> and mob psychology is used to induce them to pay.
> “Shoghi Effendi has repeatedly stated that no pressure should be used upon
> the friends and psychological pressure falls under that category. But there is
> much difference between such gatherings often used by religious bodies, and a
> true quiet, prayerful atmosphere when a person is, of his own accord, aroused to
> make some sacrifice. This distinction is very delicate, but it is for the Chairman
> to use his power to see that one desirable form is not corrupted into the other.
> All the activities of the Cause should be carried through in a dignified manner.
> “Shoghi Effendi is sure that the funds gathered at the last Convention was not
> due to the play of mob psychology but to the prayerful attitude of the friends and
> their desire to make further sacrifice.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated May 28, 1932, to an individual believer, “Bahá’í News” No.
> 67, p15)
> 
> “Your donations to the Temple as well as the remarkable manner in which you
> are assisting the believers in their efforts to widen the scope of their publicity
> work are real and abiding contributions you have made to the Faith. And
> although at present you are unable to contribute financially as much as you did
> in former years you should not feel discouraged much less dissapointed. For the
> best way in which you can effectively support the Temple Cause is not through
> material means but by the moral help which is your primary obligation to extend
> to those who are in charge of the building of that sacred and unique Edifice. It is
> devotion, sincerity and genuine enthusiasm which in the long run can insure the
> completion of our beloved Temple. Had it been otherwise the Temple would
> have never
> 
> reached the stage of progress which it has already so well attained. For the
> resources of the community are limited, and have been severely affected during
> the last two years by an unprecedented and world-wide economic crisis. But
> despite these material obstacles the Temple has made a steady progress and this
> alone is sufficient to convince every unbiased observer of the divine potency
> animating the Faith - a potency before which all material difficulties must
> inevitably wane.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated December 30, 1933, to an individual believer)
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> “He wishes you particularly to impress the believers with the necessity of
> maintaining the flow of their contributions to the Temple, and also to stress the
> importance of the institution of the National Bahá’í Fund which, in these early
> days of the administrative development of the Faith, is the indispensible medium
> for the growth and expansion of the Movement. Contributions to this fund
> constitute, in addition, a practical and effective way whereby every believer can
> test the measure and character of his faith, and to prove in deeds the intensity of
> his devotion and attachment to the Cause.”
> (From letter written on his behalf, dated September 25, 1934, to the Chairman of the National
> Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, “Bahá’í News” No. 88, pp. 1-2)
> 
> “The Guardian would advise your Assembly to continue impressing upon the
> believers the necessity of their contributing reularly to the National Fund,
> irrespective of whether there is an emergency to be met or not. Nothing short of
> a continuous flow of contributions to that Fund can, indeed, insure the financial
> stability upon which so much of the progress of the institutions of the Faith must
> now inevitably depend.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated July 29, 1935, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the
> United States and Canada, “Bahá’í News” No. 95, p. 1)
> 
> “As the activities of the American Bahá’í community expand, and its world-wide
> prestige correspondingly increases, the institution of the National Fund, the
> bedrock upon which all other institutions must necessarily rest and be
> established, aquires added importance, and should be increasingly supported by
> the entire body of the believers, both in their individual capacities, and through
> their collective efforts, whether as organised groups or as local Assemblies. The
> supply of funds, in support of the National Treasury, constitutes, at the present
> time, the life-blood of those nascent institutions which you are laboring to erect.
> Its importance cannot, surely, be over-estimated. Untold blessings shall no doubt
> crown every
> 
> effort directed to that end. I am eagerly and prayerfully awaiting the news of an
> unprecedented expansion in so vital an organ of the administrative Order of the
> Faith.”
> (Post script in the Guardian's handwriting from letter written on his behalf, dated July 29, 1935, to the
> National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada)
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> “With regard to your question concerning contributions to the Temple fund; the
> friends should certainly be encouraged and even urged to support financially
> this, as well as other national institutions of the Cause. But they should, under no
> circumstances, be required to do so.
> “As to the idea of ‘giving what one can afford’; this does by no means put a
> limit or even exclude the possibility of self-sacrifice. There can be no limit on
> one’s contributions to the national fund. The more one can give the better it is,
> specially when such offerings necessitate the sacrifice of other wants and desires
> on the part of the donor. The harder the sacrifice the more meritorious it will be,
> of course, in the sight of God. For after all it is not so much the quantity of one’s
> offerings that matters, but rather the measure of deprivation that such offerings
> entail. It is the spirit, and not the mere fact of contributing that we should always
> take into account when we stress the necessity for a universal and whole-hearted
> support of the various funds of the Cause.”
> (From a letter dated December 31, 1935 to an individual believer)
> 
> “Above all he wishes through you to reiterate his wish, already expressed in his
> recent cable to the N.S.A., that the National Fund, which undoubtedly
> constitutes the bedrock upon which all the activities of the Cause ultimately rest,
> should receive the continued and whole-hearted support of all the believers.
> Both the local Assemblies and the individual believers should realize that unless
> they contribute regularly and generously to that Fund the progress of the Faith in
> India and Burma will not only be considerably retarded, but will inevitably come
> to a standstill. There should be a continual flow of funds to the National
> Treasury of the N.S.A., if that body wishes to properly administer the manifold
> and ever-increasing activities of the Faith. Every Bahá’í, no matter how poor,
> must realize what a grave responsibility he has to shoulder in this connection,
> and should have confidence that his spiritual progress as a believer in the World
> Order of Bahá’u’lláh will largely depend on the measure in which he proves, in
> deeds, his readiness to support materially the Divine institutions of His Faith.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated July 17, 1937, to the National Spiritual Assembly of India)
> 
> “Regarding the state of the National Fund, which you have reported as suffering
> from a general slackness in contributions from both individual believers and the
> local Assemblies and groups. It is only evident that unless the flow of donations
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> is regularly maintained by means of generous and continual support by all the
> believers, individually and collectively, the National Fund will never be able to
> meet the needs and requirements of the Cause, particularly in these days when
> the national activities of the American believers are assuming such wide and
> increasing proportions.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated February 3, 1941, to an individual believer, “Bahá’í News”
> No. 143, p. 3)
> 
> “Indeed the splendid spirit that animates the American believers these days is a
> great source of joy and inspiration to the Guardian, and as the good news comes
> in of new victories won and new sacrifices made, one can see his spirits rise and
> a wave of new strength sweep over him - tired and over-burdened as he so often
> is.
> “In this connection the letter you so thoughtfully enclosed from that dear
> Bahá’í who gave the difference in price of a cheap or expensive coffin to the
> Fund of the Cause greatly touched him. Such sacrifices prove the caliber of the
> friends and insure the very foundation of the Faith.”
> (From letter written on his behalf, dated May 4, 1941, to the Treasurer of the National Spiritual
> Assembly of the United States and Canada, “Bahá’í News” No. 144 pp. 2-3)
> 
> “Conscious of the state of the National Fund, and realizing the urgency of the
> task facing its administrators, I have felt the urge to devote the offering of the
> American believers to the International Fund to the work which is now vitally
> facing and challenging the friends in the teaching field. Much as I appreciate the
> spirit prompting you and your fellow members to make this monthly
> contribution to the Cause at the World Center, I felt that is was my duty to
> consecrate this offering while the Seven Year Plan is still operating, to that vital
> aspect of teaching upon which its success must ultimately depend. May the
> friends in view of the vastness of the field that stretches before them, and the
> potentialities of their labors within it, and of the glowing promise of future
> blessings which such a labor must yield, rise to still greater heights of self-
> sacrifice and evince nobler manifestations of solidarity in the face of the critical
> situation that so insistently demands their support.”
> (From a letter dated October 26, 1941 to the Treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly of the
> UNited States and Canada. “Bahá’í News” No 149, p. 2)
> 
> “Each and every believer, undaunted by the uncertainties, the perils and the
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> financial stringency afflicting the nation, must arise and insure, to the full
> measure of his or her capacity, that continuous and abundent flow of funds to the
> mational Treasury, on which the successful prosecution of the Plan must chiefly
> depend....
> “He wishes you particularly to impress the believers with ... the importance
> of the institution of the National Bahá’í Fund which, in these early days of the
> administrative development of the Faith, is the indispensable medium for the
> growth and expansion of the Movement. Contributions to this fund constitute, in
> addition, a practical and effective way whereby every believer can test the
> measure and character of his faith, and to prove in deeds the intensity of his
> devotion and attachment to the Cause....
> “We must be like the fountain or spring that is continually emptying itself of
> all that it has and is continually being refilled from an invisible source. To be
> continually giving out for the good of our fellows undeterred by the fear of
> poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of the Source of all wealth and good
> - this is the secret of right living”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, published in “Bahá’í Procedure”, 1942 edition, pp. 8-9)
> 
> “There is no objection to the Adelaide S.A. keeping a record of the names of
> contributors, and sums received; but no pressure must ever be brought on the
> Bahá’ís to contribute, it must be voluntary, and should be considered
> confidential, unless the friends themselves wish to mention it openly.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated October 26, 1945, to an individual believer)
> 
> “Regarding your questions: He does not feel that it is desirable to lay down any
> conditions for giving to the Bahá’í Fund. This is an entirely personal matter, and
> each believer must act according to his own judgement and the needs of the
> Faith. In times of crisis, whether in the affairs of the Cause or in one’s own
> family, people naturally behave differently than under normal circumstances.
> But decisions in these matters must rest with each individual Bahá’í”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated October 19, 1947, to an individual believer)
> 
> “Regarding the question you raised: in the first place every believer is free to
> follow the dictates of his own conscience as regards the manner in which he
> should spend his own money. Secondly, we must always bear in mind
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> that there are so few Bahá’ís in the world, relative to the world's population, and
> so many people in need, that even if all of us gave all we had, it would not
> relieve more than an infinitetesimal amount of suffering. This does not mean that
> we must not help the needy, we should; but our contributions to the Faith are the
> surest way of lifting once and for all time the burden of hunger and misery from
> mankind, for it is only through the system of Bahá’u’lláh - Divine in origin - that
> the world can be gotten on its feet and want, fear, hunger, war etc., be
> eliminated. Non-Bahá’ís cannot contribute to our work or do it for us; so really
> our first obligation is to support our own teaching work, as this will lead to the
> healing of nations.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated December 8, 1947, to an individual believer)
> 
> “Regarding your question about contributions: it is up to the individual to
> decide; if he wishes to donate a sum to a specific purpose, he is free to do so; but
> the friends should recognize the fact that too much labelling of contributions
> will tie the hands of the Assembly and prevent it from meeting its many
> obligations in various fields of Bahá’í activity.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated June 23, 1950, to the National Spiritual Assembly of
> Canada)
> 
> “As to your question: the friends can give their contributions to the treasurer, or,
> if they wish to remain anonymous and give small sums, a receptacle can be
> provided. The local assembly can decide this matter.”
> (From letter written on his behalf, dated September 29, 1951, to an individual believer)
> 
> “In your letter of September 28, 1953, you mentioned the sum of ... as being
> included in the ... allocated from your Assembly’s Budget to the World Center.
> The principle involved is as follows: The Guardian feels that your Assembly
> when allocating its annual budget, and having stipulated what sum is for the
> purposes of the Internation Center of the Faith, should immediately pigeon-hole
> that sum to be at the Guardian’s disposal. Any monies received as contributions
> from the Bahá’ís for the International Center should not be credited to this
> account which represent a national joint contribution, and has nothing to do with
> individual local contributions forwarded to the World Center in your care.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated June 20, 1954, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the
> United States)
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> “The Guardian feels that now that the new National Assembly has been
> established, with headquarters in Kampala, that the Assembly should
> 
> establish its own Bank Account. When this is done, the moneys you have
> received for the Kampala Temple, should be turned over to them, for deposit in
> their account. This applies not only to the munificent contribution of
> Mr ............, but also applies to past contributions which you have received, and
> any which you receive in the future.
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated June 10, 1956, to an individual believer)
> 
> “In the November Minutes of the National Spiritual Assembly Meeting, Page 28,
> the Guardian has noticed that the National Assembly plans to make a
> contribution of ... Dollars to the Australia and New Zealand Assembly for their
> Temple. He wishes to know if this is the contribution that Mrs Collins has made
> for that purpose, or if this is another contribution given from the funds of the
> National Assembly. If it is Mrs Collins’ contribution, then it should naturally be
> given under her name.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated December 15, 1956, to the National Spiritual Assembly of
> the United States)
> 
> “The institution of the National Fund, so vital and essential for the un-
> interrupted progress of these activities must, in particular, be assured of the
> whole-hearted, the ever-increasing and universal support of the mass of
> believers, for whose welfare and in whose name these beneficient activities have
> been initiated and have been conducted. All, no matter how modest their
> resources, must participate.”
> (From letter dated August 8, 1957 to the National Spiritual Assenbly of Central and East Africa)
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> II. Assemblies’ Responsibilities in Administering Bahá’í Funds
> 
> “The financial questions that confront the Cause are all very pressing and
> important. They need a judicious administration and a wide policy. We should
> study the needs of the Cause, find the fields which will give the greatest yield
> and then appropriate the necessary funds. And such a task is surely most difficult
> and responsible.”
> (Post script in the Guardian’s handwriting from letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United
> States and Canada, April 1930 issue of “Bahá’í News” No. 40 p. 7)
> 
> “Regarding his special contribution to the Teaching Fund; he feels that this is a
> matter to be left entirely to the discretion of the N.S.A. He believes that the
> continuous expenditure of a considerable sum to provide for travelling expenses
> of teachers who are in need constitutes in these days the chief obligation of the
> National Fund. An effort should be made to facilitate, as much as possible, the
> extension of the teaching work by helping those who are financially unable to
> reach their destination, and once there to encourage them to settle and earn the
> means of their livlihood.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated November 14, 1936, to the National Spiritual Assembly of
> the United States and Canada, “Bahá’í News” No. 105 p. 1)
> 
> “With regard to your question concerning the National Bahá’í Fund; there is
> nothing in the Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws which prevents the allocation
> of any funds to any individual who is in dire financial need. But it should be
> emphasized and clearly understood by the friends that the national interests and
> requirements of the Cause take absolute precedence over individual and private
> needs. It is the duty of the N.S.A. to so dispose of the national fund as not to
> allow the national interests of the Faith to be jeopardized by individual
> considerations that are obviously transient when compared to the lasting
> interests of the Cause of God. In rare and exceptional cases, when a believer has
> absolutely no other means of material sustenance, the N.S.A. may either
> contribute toward his expenses from the national fund, or make a special appeal
> to the body of the believers to that effect. It is for the family, the civil
> community and the local assembly to administer to such local and private needs
> of the individual. But in case none of these sources has the means to do so, the
> N.S.A. may, if it is convinced of the gravity, urgency and justice of the case,
> appropriate a part of its fund for that purpose.”
> (From a letter written on his behalf, dated July 17, 1937, to an individual believer)
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> “The Guardian can only outline to you the principle, which is that Bahá’í funds
> should not be invested to building up a place that has dear associations for a
> number of friends, but is not going to really serve a large group of the believers.
> “The Guardian’s point is that National Bodies when creating national
> institutions, should use sound judgment, becuase of the financial investment
> involved. This is only reasonable.”
> (From letter written on his behalf, dated June 8, 1952, to the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada)
> 
> “He urges your Assembly, in addition to expediting the Temple work as much as
> is reasonably possible, to carefully supervise expenditures and prevent the
> architect from getting extravagant ideas. It is only through a wise economy, the
> elimination of non-essentials, concentration of essentials and a careful
> supervision, that the Guardian himself has been able to build the Shrine and the
> International Archives at the World Center and surround the Holy Places here by
> what appears in the eyes of the public to be lavish gardens, but are in reality the
> result of rigorous and economical planning. This will not only insure that the
> budget of the Temple is adhered to, but will be a salutary example to the African
> Bahá’ís, who must not be led to believe that because the Bahá’ís of the world are
> building for them a Temple in the heart of their homelands, our resources are
> infinite and that the affairs of the Cause can be supported from abroad. The more
> they see that economy and intelligent supervision of the work is carried on in
> connection with their own Temple, the more they will be encouraged to feel
> some financial responsibility toward the National Body. Having very little
> themselves, it is a delicate matter, and as he has already informed your
> Assembly, under no circumstances should a heavy budget be imposed upon such
> weak communities, and thus discourage them from the outset, or lead them to
> believe that like the Missions, our money comes from abroad.”
> (From letter written on his behalf, dated August 8, 1957, to the National Spiritual Assembly of Central
> and East Africa)
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> III. Who can Contribute to the Fund?
> 
> “I feel that only such goods as are owned by believers, whether made by Bahá’í
> or non-Bahá’ís, may be sold in the interests of the Temple or any other Bahá’í
> institution, thus maintaining the general principle that non-believers are not,
> whether directly or indirectly, expected to contribute to the support of
> institutions that are of a strictly Bahá’í character. As to the manner of the
> disposal of Bahá’í property for such purposes, and the channel through which
> the sale may be effected, I feel that no rigid rule should be imposed. Individual
> Bahá’ís are free to seek the help of private individuals or of Spiritual Assemblies
> to act as intermediary for such transactions. We should avoid confusion on one
> hand and maintain efficiency on the other, and lay no unnecessary restrictions
> that would fetter individual initiative and enterprise.”
> (From a letter dated January 4, 1929 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and
> Canada, “Bahá’í News” No. 31, p. 3)
> 
> “In regard to Miss ...’s contribution to the fund, Shoghi Effendi wishes you to
> make it quite clear to her that her money-offering should be made to the Bahá’í
> fund, and not to any individual. This being an important principle governing all
> Bahá’í publications and publishing societies, it should be duly emphasized and
> clearly understood, so that no difficulty may appear in the future. Of course,
> contributions should be accepted only when made by the Bahá’ís themselves.
> You should, therefore, first ascertain whether Miss ... is a true Bahá’í, and then
> and only then accept her contributions to your book fund.”
> (From letter written on his behalf, dated April 14, 1934, to an individual believer)
> 
> “The question you have raised in connection with the recommendation made by
> the Convention delegates to the effect of installing a Radio Sending Station in
> the Temple involves a fundamental principle governing the Temple Fund which
> the Guardian has already explained in several communications. He wishes me to
> stress again that under no circumstances the believers should accept any
> financial help from non-Bahá’ís for use in connection with specific
> administrative activities of the Faith such as the Temple construction fund, and
> other local or national Bahá’í administrative funds. The reason for this is
> twofold: first because the Institutions which the Bahá’ís are gradually building
> are in the nature of gifts from Bahá’u’lláh to the world; and secondly the
> acceptance of funds from non-believers for specific Bahá’í use would, sooner or
> later, involve the Bahá’ís into unforseen complications and difficulties with
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> others, and thus
> 
> cause incalculable harm to the body of the Cause.”
> (From letter written on his behalf, dated July 12, 1938, to an individual believer)
> 
> “You may not perhaps know that in connection with all National assemblies the
> Guardian is advising that rules and regulations should not be multiplied and new
> statements on ‘procedure’ issued; we should be elastic in details and rigid in
> principles; consequently he does not want your Assembly to issue statements of
> a binding nature unless absolutely necessary. In this connection he will answer
> your questions about sanctions: there is nothing to object to in paragraphs 1, 2
> and 4 of your letter of March 4th, but No. 3 is incorrect; it is only those who
> have been spiritually ex-communicated by the Guardian with whom the
> believers are forbidden to associate, and not a person who is being punished by
> being deprived of his voting rights. As contributions to the Bahá’í Funds are
> used to support the Administration of the Faith, they should not be accepted
> from those who are deprived of their voting rights; but, such believers, should
> not be prevented from being buried in a Bahá’í Cemetery or receiving charity -
> which we even give to non-Bahá’ís...”
> (From letter written on his behalf, dated May 8, 1947, to the National Spiritual Assembly of India)
> 
> “Any Bahá’í can give to the Cause’s Funds, adult ot child. No statement is
> required on this subject, Bahá’í children have always given to the Cause,
> everywhere. Whatever situation may arise in a class which non-Bahá’í children
> attend is for the teacher of the class to solve. No ruling should be made to cover
> such things.”
> (From letter written on his behalf, dated February 12, 1949, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the
> United States)
> 
> “Regarding Mr .........’s bequest to the Temple: Your Assembly should inform
> his widow that, because he was not a Bahá’í, we cannot use his money for our
> purposes, as we consider our Faith and its institutions our free gift to humanity.
> You can, however, and indeed should, accept it for charity and expend it in his
> name.”
> (From letter written on his behalf, dated July 5, 1950, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United
> States, “Bahá’í News”, No. 256, p. 2)
> 
> Lifeblood of the Cause
> 
> “As regards the question of the Bahá’í School in India: As this institution is run
> by Bahá’ís but for the benefit of both Bahá’ís and any other group sending its
> children there, he see no reason why a school concert should not receive money
> from the public attending, and use it for the school
> 
> itself. It is not the same as a bazaar where the things sold are solely for the
> Bahá’í Fund.”
> (From letter written on his behalf, date June 30, 1952, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the
> United States)
> 
> “As regards the question of accepting contributions from people whose voting
> rights are suspended, the Guardian says this is not permissable.”
> (From letter written on his behalf, dated June 21, 1953, to the National Spiritual Assembly of India)
> 
> “Thank you for the report you enclosed in your letter regarding the Fund, and in
> this connection he wishes to answer your questions about .........’s Trust Fund:
> We cannot accept money from non-Bahá’ís for the Cause. It would seem if the
> family of ... wish to do this for her (and it is certainly a highly praiseworthy
> idea) they must take action during her lifetime to establish such a Trust as the
> property of ..., otherwise the Cause could only accept to use the money for
> charitable purposes, for Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í”
> (From letter written on his behalf, dated October 4, 1956)
>
> — *Lifeblood of the Cause (Used by permission of the curator)*