# Arohanui: Letters to New Zealand

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-21 — 1 clipping.*

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> Condensed Table of Contents
> About AROHANUI, Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand
> Part I -- Letters to Individuals, before April 21st, 1926
> Part II -- Letters to Individuals, April 21st, 1926--April 21st, 1934
> Part III -- Letters to Individuals, May 1934-1957
> Part IV -- Letters to Bahá'í Institutions
> Part V -- Telegrams to New Zealand
> Part VI -- Statements on Various Subjects
> Appendix (Notes)
> Appendix (Addressees)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Expanded Table of Contents
> 
> 
> About AROHANUI, Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand
> 
>   i
>   ii
>   iii
>   iv
>   v
>   xiii
>  
> 
> Part I -- Letters to Individuals, before April 21st, 1926
> 
> 
> June 22nd, 1923
> May 8th, 1925
> May 9th, 1925
> May 21st, 1925
> May 28th, 1925
> November 4th, 1925
> December 5th, 1925
> March 4th, 1926
> April 3rd, 1926
> 
> 
> 
> Part II -- Letters to Individuals, April 21st, 1926--April 21st, 1934
> 
> 
> August 12th, 1926
> August 12th, 1926
> August 25th, 1926
> September 18th, 1926
> October 23rd, 1926
> November 3rd, 1926
> January 11th, 1927
> January 30th, 1927
> May 13th, 1927
> June 4th, 1929
> October 4th, 1930
> May 18th, 1931
> December 17th, 1931
> April 29th, 1933
> September 1st, 1933
> 
> 
> 
> Part III -- Letters to Individuals, May 1934-1957
> 
> 
> June 13th, 1934
> December 22nd, 1934
> January 21st, 1935
> February 5th, 1935
> May 20th, 1936
> September 30th, 1936
> December 7th, 1936
> November 8th, 1937
> May 17th, 1938
> December 20th, 1938
> March 20th, 1939
> August 3rd, 1941
> December 19th, 1947
> November 23rd, 1949
> December 18th, 1949
> June 11th, 1952
> January 6th, 1955
> 
> 
> 
> Part IV -- Letters to Bahá'í Institutions
> 
> 
> March 31st, 1926
> May 14th, 1926
> January 7th, 1935
> September 26th, 1935
> April 26th, 1936
> June 10th, 1936
> November 17th, 1936
> January 31st, 1938
> November 2nd, 1938
> March 22nd, 1939
> April 19th, 1941
> April 25th, 1941
> April 18th, 1942
> May 12th, 1944
> December 18th, 1949
> June 28th, 1950
> November 1st, 1950
> March 1st, 1951
> June 16th, 1954
> July 24, 1955
> June 13th, 1956
> September 5th, 1956
> April 4th, 1957
> May 20th, 1957
> June 27th, 1957
> July 19th, 1957
> August 30th, 1957
> September 9th, 1957
> 
> 
> 
> Part V -- Telegrams to New Zealand
> 
> 
> To Summer School care Bahá'í Assembly Postbox 1906 Auckland                                          January 22nd, 1949 )
> To Auckland Assembly Box 1906 Auckland                                         December 29th, 1949 )
> To Summer School Care Auckland Assembly Box 1906 Auckland                                         December 29th, 1949 )
> To New Zealand School Care NatBahá'í Sydney                                         December 30th, 1953 )
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Part VI -- Statements on Various Subjects
> 
> ALCOHOL
> EVOLUTION
> "HERALD OF THE SOUTH"--                   Persevere
> "HERALD OF THE SOUTH"--                   Effective teaching medium.
> "HERALD OF THE SOUTH"--                   Difficulties.
> "HERALD OF THE SOUTH"--                   Psychic practices.
> PHILOSOPHERS
> SCOUTING
> SOUL, MIND AND SPIRIT
> 
> 
> Appendix - Notes
> 
> 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 
> 
> Appendix - Addresses
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> i 
>  
>      Dedicated to the memory of Shoghi Effendi in commemoration 
> of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the formation 
> of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New 
> Zealand.
> 
>  
> ii 
>  
>      "AROHANUI"  
>      The word "Arohanui" is a Maori word and, as with many Polynesian 
> words, there is no direct translation into English.  The literal 
> meaning is "big love", or "much love" or "great love".  And, like 
> most words in most languages, it has several meanings.  In naming 
> this book, "Arohanui:  Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand", 
> "Arohanui" is used in its more expressive meaning, "enfolding 
> love", or "that love which binds a community together", 
> or "that love which creates bonds of mutual trust and loyalty", or 
> "that love which builds and carries forward culture or civilization".  
>  
>  
> iii 
>  
>                AROHANUI 
>                Letters from Shoghi Effendi 
>                to New Zealand 
>  
>  
> iv 
>  
>                          Bahá'í 
>                           publishing 
>                            trust 
>                           ------------- 
>                              Suva, Fiji 
>               Approved for publication by the 
>                 National Spiritual Assembly 
>             of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand Inc.
>              (c) 1982 Bahá'í PUBLISHING TRUST 
>                      SUVA, FIJI ISLANDS 
>  
>  
> v 
>  
>      "You are destined to achieve great things for our beloved 
> Cause and my constant prayer is that your vision may be 
> clear, your purpose unshaken, your zeal undiminished, your 
> hopes undimmed.  Let not obstacles and disappointments, 
> which are inevitable, dishearten you and whenever you are 
> faced with trials recall our Beloved's innumerable sufferings."  
>  
> From a letter to the first New Zealand Bahá'í dated August 12th, 1926.  
>  
>  
>  
> xiii 
>      The letters in this compilation were written by various secretaries 
> of the Guardian at his specific direction.  Spelling and other inconsistencies 
> are a reflection of the fact that different secretaries were 
> used.  Those passages actually written by the Guardian himself are 
> printed in italics.  
>      The messages are numbered sequentially for the convenience of the 
> reader and as an aid to indexing.  The numbers appear before the 
> date of each letter.  
>  AROHANUI, Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand 
>      (Suva, Fiji, 1982) 
>      FILENAME:  ARO.FN 
>      FILEDATE:  1-1-95 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Part I -- Letters to Individuals, before April 21st, 1926
> 
> 1.  June 22nd, 1923
> 
> 
> 
> 
> My dear Bahá'í sister, 
> 
> 
> Your beautiful letter of April 3rd written to the Beloved 
> Guardian of the Cause of God, our dear Shoghi Effendi, was 
> received.[See note 1]  He was much impressed and charmed with the 
> spirit of your letter, which indicated deep devotion to and 
> absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit of the Beloved Master, 
> `Abdu'l-Bahá.  
> 
> 
> He instructed me with a heart overflowing with love to 
> answer your letter, conveying to you his high estimation for 
> the beauty of the faith of the New Zealand friends, and deep 
> appreciation towards the splendid services of our dear Mr and 
> Mrs Dunn,[See note 2] who are so wonderfully blessed and assisted by 
> the power of the Holy Ghost.  He loves you all and prays for 
> your happiness and spiritual growth.  
> 
> 
> It is true that your group is now still small, but he assures 
> you that your group will before long grow larger and 
> larger day by day.  It has been always the case with the growth 
> of every religion.  Some pure soul or souls go to some land 
> and sow the seeds of the heavenly teachings in the hearts of 
> few who are most pure and so most receptive.  The seeds will 
> germinate and grow in them.  The fruits of these seeds appear 
> in the regeneration of the lives of these primary adherents.  
> These primary adherents share the bounties they have received 
> with other souls, who through them obtain new life 
> and light and in turn illumine other people.  
> 
> 
> The primary adherents are the stars of great magnitude 
> in every land in the firmament of the Kingdom of God.  They 
> are the chosen people.  They are like candles which, through 
> their sacrificial efforts, are weeping their lives away in order 
> to give light to the world and establish the purpose of their 
> Lord and Saviour, which purpose is the salvation of mankind.  
> His Holiness, Jesus Christ! see how small the group of 
> His disciples was!  No matter how few the number of the disciples 
> was, yet they through His power illumined the world.  
> Our Era is similar to that, but through the development of 
> humanity it is greater, and through the evils of the material 
> civilization and negligence of mankind our sacrifices must be 
> greater.  Divine light must make itself manifest in our daily 
> life deeds.  
> 
> 
> In the early days of the appearance of our Saviour, virtue 
> was to save ourselves.  When we are once established in 
> our faith, then virtue is to save others.  The three mottoes of 
> education hold true in our case too.  First grow, then become 
> and then contribute.  We have developed; we have established 
> ourselves, and now it is time to contribute to others.  
> We have inexhaustible capital.  The candles of our spiritual 
> lives constantly weep away their lives in shedding light to the 
> world, but they never become exhausted.  For there is connection 
> between our lives and that of Bahá'u'lláh and our 
> beloved `Abdu'l-Bahá.  
> 
> 
> It cannot be described how much we long to see our 
> dear New Zealand brethren and sisters.  We hope the day will 
> come when they can come to us and we to them.  Meanwhile, 
> we are praying at the Holy Threshold of our beloved Master 
> for your success and happiness.  We hope you will pray for us 
> too.  The effect of the prayers of the pure hearts is tremendously 
> great.  
> 
> 
> Our dear Shoghi Effendi wants you not to look at your 
> own capacity, but at the power of the Holy Ghost of God.  He 
> sends you all his loving greeting and tender affection.  
> 
> 
> With warm wishes and Bahá'í love, I remain, 
> 
> 
>                 Your humble brother in His love, 
> 
> 
>                             Azizullah S. Bahadur 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 2. May 8th, 1925
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>                Allah-u-abha 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi was very pleased to receive this morning 
> your letter of 28th April, but we were very sorry to hear 
> you have been ill and hope your health will soon be completely 
> restored.[See note 3]  It was nice that you saw Shoghi's sister and 
> Soheil's brother in London.  
> 
> 
> I forget whether I gave you the address of Mr and Mrs 
> King, c/o Messrs Hayman and King, 202 Old Christchurch 
> Rd. Bournemouth.  They are very kind-hearted Bahá'ís and 
> will be delighted to see any of you if you call.  Both of them 
> work in the business and you are most likely to see them if 
> you call there.  They live above the shop.  
> 
> 
> I gave you Sister Challis's address at West Moors 
> (Ferndown Lodge).  You can get there by 'bus from Bournemouth 
> Sq. or Lansdowne, which will drop you right at 
> Sister Challis's door (She keeps a nursing home) or you can 
> go by train from West Bournemouth to West Moors station 
> which is within 5 minutes' walk of Ferndown Lodge.  I hope 
> you will be able to see her.  
> 
> 
> As I write, the Greatest Holy Leaf is on a visit to the 
> Shrine of the Master.  It is over a year, I think, since she has 
> been able to visit the shrine and until now she has not seen the 
> new Gardens, in the laying out of which Shoghi Effendi has 
> taken such a deep interest.  The Gardens are looking lovely 
> now and it is easy to imagine how delighted she will be.  One 
> day during the feast of Ridván she and the Holy Mother were 
> able to visit Bahjí and the Garden of Ridván.  
> 
> 
> I have quite recovered from my pleurisy now and am 
> steadily regaining my strength.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi is still tired.  I hope he will soon be able 
> to take a rest.  
> 
> 
> All the friends here join in loving greetings and best 
> wishes to yourself, your son and daughter, Miss Stevenson 
> and Effie Baker.[See note 4]  With warmest greetings.  
> 
> 
>                    Your brother in the service of the 
> 
> 
>                    Beloved, 
> 
> 
>                             J. E. Esslemont 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear precious sister in `Abdu'l-Bahá:  
> 
> 
> I was so glad to hear from you directly and learn of 
> your improved health and meeting with the English Bahá'ís.  I 
> need not assure you of my ardent prayers for your happiness, 
> good health and continued success in the service of the 
> Cause.  I hope and pray you will be enabled by the guiding 
> spirit of the Master not only to stimulate the interest of your 
> friends and relations in this Cause but to make of some of 
> them earnest and whole-hearted believers and supporters of 
> the Faith.  
> 
> 
>                             Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 3. May 9th, 1925
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>                     Allah-u-abha 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> The Greatest Holy Leaf and Shoghi Effendi have asked 
> me to answer on their behalf your kind letters of Apr. 2nd 
> from Port Said and April 14th from London.  
> 
> 
> We were sorry to hear that Mrs Blundell got a chill on 
> the steamer and was laid up for a few days after her arrival in 
> London.  We hope that by this time she is all right again.  We 
> had a note from her from Bournemouth.  
> 
> 
> You will be glad to hear that the Greatest Holy Leaf and 
> the Holy Mother were able to motor to Bahjí and Ridván one 
> day during the Feast of Ridván, and that yesterday the 
> Greatest Holy Leaf motored to the Shrine of `Abdu'l-Bahá 
> and saw the new Gardens in which Shoghi Effendi has been 
> taking so much interest.  
> 
> 
> Yesterday a Dutchman arrived here from Port Said, the 
> first Dutch Bahá'í, so far as we know.  He has been a sincere 
> and earnest truth-seeker for years.  About 9 months ago he left 
> his home at the Hague and walked on foot through Belgium, 
> France and Italy.  Then he felt some inward urge to go to 
> Egypt, and travelled thither by a Dutch Cargo Steamer.  
> When the steamer arrived at Port Said Mahmood Effendi, 
> one of the Port Said Bahá'ís came on board and was introduced 
> to Mesdag (the Dutchman).  They struck up a 
> friendship at once and after 2 days Mesdag went to live in 
> Mahmood's house.  There he met Martha Root, Mr 
> Schopflocher and various other Bahá'ís, read my book and 
> became thoroughly interested and seems now already a firm 
> believer.  He has already, since his arrival yesterday morning, 
> translated our 8-page folder into Dutch and we hope he will 
> be able to do much to make the Cause known in Holland and 
> win adherents there.  
> 
> 
> I have quite recovered from my pleurisy now and am 
> feeling almost as vigorous as before the attack.  Azizullah 
> Bahadur is now in Stuttgart.  There is as yet no improvement 
> in his hand, but he is having skilled treatment now and we 
> hope it will be successful.  He seems to be having a very 
> happy time with the German friends.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi is much in need of rest, but fairly well.  
> He and all the members of the Holy Family join in loving 
> greetings and heartfelt prayers for your welfare.  We hope you 
> will have a fine time in England and return to New Zealand 
> refreshed and reinvigorated physically and spiritually to take 
> up your work for the Kingdom there with new enthusiasm 
> and devotion.  We pray that you may always be guided and 
> strengthened by the Divine Confirmations.  
> 
> 
> With love also to Effie Baker and all the other friends, 
> 
> 
>                     Your brother in the service of the 
> 
> 
>                     Beloved, 
> 
> 
>                              J. E. Esslemont 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My precious Bahá'í sister:-- 
> 
> 
> I wish to assure you personally of my appreciation of 
> your devotion to the Cause, and your earnest efforts to promote 
> it as well as my fervent prayers for your spiritual advancement, 
> success and happiness.  I will always remember 
> you most tenderly in my hours of visit at the three holy Shrines 
> and beseech for you and the New Zealand friends the 
> blessings of our loving and almighty Master.  
> 
> 
>                     You true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 4. May 21st, 1925
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>                       Allah-u-abha 
> Dear Bahá'í Brother, 
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi has asked me to reply to your kind letter 
> of 11th April.  He is delighted to hear that you propose starting 
> a Bahá'í Magazine for Australia and New Zealand and 
> suggests as a suitable title "The Herald of the South".  Every 
> 19 days a letter will be sent from Haifa to Mr and Mrs Hyde 
> Dunn giving the news of the Cause.  Owing to the restricted 
> facilities for multiplying copies which are at present available 
> here, I fear it will not be possible to send another copy to you, 
> but doubtless you can arrange with Mr and Mrs Hyde Dunn to 
> have their copy passed on to you for the magazine.  We are 
> glad to hear that notwithstanding the absence of the Blundells 
> and Margaret Stevenson, the friends in New Zealand are remaining 
> united and active.  We hope that when the pilgrims 
> return the faith and enthusiasm of the believers will be greatly 
> deepened and strengthened and that many new believers may 
> be attracted.  I had a long letter from Effie Baker yesterday.  
> She is very devoted and whole-hearted and will be a valuable 
> worker for the Cause, I think, and a great help to Father and 
> Mother Dunn.  When she wrote, Margaret Stevenson had 
> gone to Scotland and Mrs and Miss Blundell were in Bournemouth.  
> Effie Baker hopes to make a return visit to Haifa on 
> her way back to Australia.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi assures you of his prayers on behalf of 
> your mother, yourself and all the Australasian friends and his 
> hopes that the proposed Magazine may greatly help the 
> spread of the Glad Tidings in Australia and New Zealand.  
> 
> 
> With warmest greetings and best wishes, 
> 
> 
>                  Yours sincerely in the Master's 
> 
> 
>                  service, 
> 
> 
>                             J. E. Esslemont 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear fellow-worker:  
> 
> 
> Your charming letter truly gladdened my heart.  I will 
> follow the development of your magazine with keen interest 
> and assure you of my desire to help and promote its interests 
> to the fullest possible extent.  I am enclosing the photographs of 
> the shrine and gardens recently laid out in the close 
> neighbourhood of the Shrines of the Báb and `Abdu'l-Bahá.  I 
> assure you of my love, appreciation and fervent prayers.  
> 
> 
>                     Yours, 
> 
> 
>                                Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 5. May 28th, 1925
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>                   Allah-u-abha.  
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi asks me to thank you on his behalf for 
> your letter of 14th May.  He received the letter of Mrs. Amy 
> Thornton all right.  I remember answering it for him some 
> weeks ago, so you can set your mind at rest on that score.  
> 
> 
> The recovery of your Bahá'í ring and stones was very 
> remarkable.  It reminds me of a somewhat similar occurrence 
> in Bournemouth.  One of our Bahá'í friends had her Bahá'í 
> ring stolen, and nothing was heard or seen of it for some 
> months.  Mr King, another of our group, has an antique shop 
> in Bournemouth and one day his partner (a non-Bahá'í) 
> bought a ring from a man who said it was his wife's, but as 
> they had become very badly off she wanted to sell it.  When 
> Mr King saw the ring he recognized it as a Bahá'í ring and 
> knowing that this friend had lost her ring, he sent it to me.  It 
> turned out to be her ring and she was delighted to recover it.  
> The curious thing is that out of the dozens of jewellers and 
> antique shops in Bournemouth to which the ring might have 
> been taken for sale, it should be taken to the one where there 
> was a Bahá'í who recognized it.  
> 
> 
> I hope that before you leave Scotland you may be able 
> to go to Aberdeen and see my home people.  They would be 
> delighted to see you.  My father's address is Fairford, Cults, 
> (about 3 miles from Aberdeen, by car or train).  He is 86 years 
> of age and rather frail.  My sister looks after him.  My two 
> married brothers are Peter Esslemont, 21, Louisville Avenue 
> (Business:  John E. Esslemont, 16 King Street) and W.D.E., 
> 12 Wellbrae Terr., Mannofield.  Both of their houses are near 
> the Mannofield Car Line.  
> 
> 
> We were very glad to hear of your meetings with the 
> friends at London and West Moors.  
> 
> 
> Many thanks for your letter to myself and the excellent 
> snap-shots enclosed.  I am glad you have fallen in love with 
> Sister Challis and hope you will see her again before you 
> leave.  I had a delightful letter yesterday from Miss Kilford of 
> West Moors, whom I regard as a Bahá'í grand-daughter, as 
> she was brought into the Cause by Sister Challis who calls me 
> her Bahá'í father!  
> 
> 
> We hope Shoghi Effendi will get away soon for a much 
> needed rest.  The Greatest Holy Leaf was rather seriously ill 
> last week, but is a good deal better again, although very feeble 
> and frail.  
> 
> 
> I have been advised by the Drs to leave Haifa for the 
> summer months, as my breathing has lately been troublesome 
> and they think the moist heat during the summer here 
> would be bad for me.  On the same day on which this decision 
> was arrived at, I received a cordial invitation to go to a place 
> in the Black Forest for my summer vacation.  The Drs considered 
> this place would be ideal for me and that the sooner I got 
> away the better, so I leave in 3 days time.  My address will be 
> c/o Frau Victoria von Sigsfeld, Husli, Finsterlingen, bei St 
> Blaisien, Baden, Germany.  I hope to return to Haifa in the 
> latter part of Sept. to resume my work here.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi, the members of the Holy Household 
> and the friends here join in loving greetings and best wishes.  
> 
> 
>                      Your brother in the service of the 
> 
> 
>                      Beloved, 
> 
> 
>                                J. E. Esslemont 
> 
> 
> Mrs Schopflocher arrived here last night after a very successful 
> tour in Russia, Persia and Iraq.  
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear co-worker:  
> 
> 
> I was very glad indeed to learn about your experiences 
> and visit to the friends and your firm determination to labour 
> unceasingly in the Divine Vineyard.  I will continue to pray 
> for you that all your relatives and friends may recognise and 
> be illumined with the resplendent Light of this Divine Revelation.  
> Never feel disheartened and trust me ever your affectionate, 
> grateful and true brother in the service of the Cause.  
> 
> 
>                         Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 6. November 4th, 1925
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi received your kind letter and wishes me 
> to acknowledge its receipt.  He hopes that on your return to 
> New Zealand you will obtain divine assistance in your services 
> to the Cause.  That land has been newly opened to the 
> Bahá'í Movement.  The work of the friends therefore, interesting 
> and useful as it may be, is hard and most exacting to 
> one's patience and energy.  It needs great perseverance to 
> obtain a hearing among the people and draw their attention to 
> this Blessed Cause.  But once that that has been obtained and 
> the way smoothed then progress becomes increasingly great 
> and the fruits of your labours appreciated.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi is very glad that you have enjoyed your 
> trip to England.  The Friends there though they are few in 
> number, are full of love and affection, one cannot but feel at 
> home among them.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi thanks Miss Nora Lee for the kind contribution 
> she has made to the Cause.  It will be spent for the 
> progress of this movement so dear to the heart of us all.  
> Enclosed there will be a receipt for that amount.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi and the other members of the family 
> send you their best Bahá'í love and greeting and wish you 
> success in your services to the Cause.  
> 
> 
>                    Your brother in His Name, 
> 
> 
>                              Ruhi Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dearest fellow-worker:  
> 
> 
> My prayers accompany you wherever you go.  I wish 
> you to be happy, confident and active.  Rest assured of my 
> great admiration of your zeal and steadfast labours, of my 
> confidence in the success of your splendid pioneer services 
> and of my eagerness to hear from you about the progress of 
> your work.  
> 
> 
>                   Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                             Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 7. December 5th, 1925
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> To the publisher of the Bahá'í Magazine, "The Herald 
> of the South".  
> 
> 
> My dear friend and fellow-worker:  
> 
> 
> I have just heard the welcome news of the publication 
> of the first issue of the Bahá'í Journal, recently established by 
> the friends of Australia and New Zealand.  I rejoice in this 
> new and notable Bahá'í enterprise, particularly as it is undertaken 
> by my dearly-beloved and self-sacrificing brothers and 
> sisters in a land which holds so great a promise for the future.  
> 
> 
> I have followed the progress of the activities of the 
> Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand with keen interest and 
> ever-increasing confidence, and with a deep sense of pride 
> and gratitude.  I most heartily welcome this newly-added link 
> in the chain of the many services, so lovingly and spontaneously 
> rendered by the pioneers of the Cause in these lands.  I 
> assure you of my steadfast prayers for the speedy expansion 
> and consolidation of this youngest of all Bahá'í Magazines, 
> and of my earnest endeavours to enable it attain a standard 
> worthy of the bearer of such a noble Message.  
> 
> 
> It should be the object and purpose of its author and 
> publisher to open its pages to the consideration and review of 
> matters that are strictly Bahá'í in character, as well as to the 
> treatment of topics of a humanitarian, ethical and religious 
> nature; that its readers, while witnessing to the liberal and 
> broad-minded attitude of the Bahá'í Cause, may receive from 
> it their full share of inspiration which only a clear and direct 
> statement of the Divine Message can impart.  
> 
> 
> Go forth, on thy noble errand, O thou Herald of the 
> South!  Join thy voice, however feeble, to those of thy sister-journals 
> who, in various parts of the world, are raising with 
> one accord the call of this new Day of God.  Persevere in thy 
> labours, endeavour to reach every circle and every home, 
> that the light thou bearest may in the fulness of time illuminate 
> with its healing rays the uttermost corners of that distant 
> and troubled continent.  
> 
> 
>                   Your well-wisher, 
> 
> 
>                             Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 8. March 4th, 1926
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> Your letter to Shoghi Effendi and the enclosed one to 
> Ruhi with the postal order for 10 have been received and 
> read with keen interest and pleasure.  
> 
> 
> We are all very happy to know that you have had such a 
> pleasant journey back home and that you had the opportunity 
> of delivering the message on so many occasions.  We hope 
> and pray that the seed you have sown has fallen on fertile soil 
> and that in time it will grow and bear abundant fruit.  
> 
> 
> We hope that now through your sustained zeal and effort 
> new life will be infused into your small Bahá'í group, and 
> that it will in the near future grow sufficiently in number to 
> enable you to form an assembly the first to be established in 
> that land.  We shall pray at the Holy Threshold for your guidance 
> and the success of your work.  
> 
> 
> The Greatest Holy Leaf and the Holy Mother remember 
> you well, and they and the other members of the 
> family send their loving greetings to you.  
> 
> 
> You will be interested to know that the new pilgrim 
> house is being completed, and it will be all ready in a month 
> time for the new pilgrims that will come.  
> 
> 
> We still have our dear sister Effie Baker with us, and 
> we all love her so; she is so sweet and helpful.  
> 
> 
> We have just now two American lady friends with us, 
> Auntie Victoria Bedekian and Mrs R. Kehler--very fine 
> Bahá'ís they are and we are expecting some more soon.  
> 
> 
> I always remember the happy day I spent with you and 
> Effy in London and shall look forward to the pleasure of 
> meeting you again some day--perhaps here in Haifa or in 
> New Zealand, who knows?  
> 
> 
> I am back at home now for the present, and I am trying 
> to help Shoghi Effendi a little in his enormous task.  
> 
> 
> He is keeping in good health I am glad to say in spite of 
> his many activities and heavy and manifold responsibilities.  
> 
> 
> To you he sends his brotherly love and the assurance of 
> his prayers for your welfare and happiness.  
> 
> 
> With all good wishes and loving greetings, 
> 
> 
>                  Your sister in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                             Ruh-Anguiz Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear and precious Bahá'í sister:  
> 
> 
> I cannot but add a few words personally expressing my 
> deep appreciation of your persistent, self-sacrificing services 
> to the Cause.  I have devoted your gift towards the Fund for 
> the Western Pilgrim House and I wish to assure you that 
> when I visit the Holy Shrines I tenderly supplicate for you Divine 
> Guidance and strength in your labours for our beloved 
> Cause.  
> 
> 
>                   Your true Brother, 
> 
> 
>                              Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 9. April 3rd, 1926
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Spiritual Sister:-- 
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt 
> of your letter dated January 24, 1926.  
> 
> 
> He hopes that after this long vacation you have had you 
> are ready to begin spreading the Cause in New Zealand with 
> even greater energy than before.  The people there seem to be 
> broad in their outlook, receptive to any idea which helps the 
> human family from decreasing its burden.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi was most chagrined to hear of the sudden 
> death of your son[Rev. Oscar Blundell] and wishes me to extend to you his 
> deepest love and sympathy.  
> 
> 
> There is no special news here except that we have removed 
> to the new pilgrim house.  Miss Baker is well and very 
> busy entertaining the friends and arranging the new home.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi as well as the other members of the 
> family are well and send you their love and greetings.  They 
> earnestly pray for your success and hope to hear, before long, 
> the news of your many victories in the field of services to the 
> Cause.  
> 
> 
> Please convey my loving greetings to your son and 
> daughter.  
> 
> 
>                 Yours most sincerely, 
> 
> 
>                            Ruhi Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear fellow-worker:  
> 
> 
> I wish to express in person my deep sympathy in the 
> heavy loss you have sustained.  May the Beloved Comforter 
> strengthen you and sustain you in your bereavement.  The 
> memory of your visit to the Holy Land is still fresh and vivid in 
> my mind and I pray and supplicate at the holy Shrines that 
> your labours in the Cause may yield an abundant harvest.  
> 
> 
>                 Your sympathising brother, 
> 
> 
>                                    Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Part II -- Letters to Individuals, April 21st, 1926--April 21st, 1934
> 
> 10. August 12th, 1926
> 
> 
> 
> 
> My very dear Spiritual Sister:  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi has been in receipt of your interesting 
> letter dated June 7, 1926.  It is a great pity that your health has 
> more or less handicapped you in your service to the Cause.  
> We, however, hope that this weakness will soon vanish and 
> your health and strength be fully restored.  
> 
> 
> The case of the teacher who has been in Palestine is one 
> really to be lamented.  All such persons instead of procuring 
> their information from the very source, when they are so near 
> to it, they go to the Missionaries who are undoubtedly biased.  
> They are immediately told that the Cause is nothing more 
> than a sect of Islam; a Movement that may do immense good 
> to the Muhammadan world, but far from ranking with Christianity 
> or satisfying its needs.  Then they refer this ignorant 
> and innocent person to books such as Brown's.  It is their fault 
> for having gone to the wrong source for proper information, 
> but once they have gone it is not their mistake to have been 
> misled.  We have heard of many such instances and there is 
> absolutely no remedy except to leave them until they find the 
> truth for themselves.  We can only pray for their guidance.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi always prays for you as well as the 
> other Auckland friends, so that through your combined efforts 
> the Cause may prosper there, and obtain a strong position 
> in the life of the people.  I am not the least familiar with 
> the social conditions there, but I am sure there is a ready field 
> for active service.  
> 
> 
>                       Yours in His Name, 
> 
> 
>                              Ruhi Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear fellow-worker:  
> 
> 
>  I rejoice to learn that your dear sons are realizing 
> gradually the significance of this unique and mighty Cause, 
> and my constant and fervent prayer is that you may witness 
> erelong the fruition of their slow yet sure spiritual evolution.  
> Persevere in your labours for I entertain and cherish the 
> brightest hopes for the future awakening of promising New-Zealand.  
> I shall ever remember the memorable visit of the 
> first New-Zealand believers to the Holy Land.  Please assure 
> them of my undying affection.  
> 
> 
>                      Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                                 Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 11. August 12th, 1926
> 
> 
> 
> 
> My dear Spiritual Sister:  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt 
> of your letter dated June 7, 1926.  It was most interesting to go 
> over your circular letter and read the many points of interest.  I 
> was especially struck by the literature you have sent to Lord 
> and Lady Allenby.  If they have at all seen them I am sure they 
> were much impressed, for they knew the Master so well.  
> They were surely very astonished to see a group of Bahá'ís 
> formed in such a distant land.  
> 
> 
> I am very ashamed of myself not to have yet answered 
> your letter of some months ago.  It was mainly because Shoghi 
> Effendi wrote you and acknowledged the receipt of your 
> contribution for the pilgrim house that I have been so neglectful.  
> I took Miss Baker's advice on the matter and together 
> we went down-town and bought a set of straw chairs.  
> We thought that would be most appreciated by the friends 
> while sitting in the veranda of the new Pilgrim House.  
> 
> 
> I remember a prayer, which you wrote, has been asked 
> by a certain friend to be read daily.  I believe sometimes the 
> friends through their zeal and ardour do things that are not 
> asked in the Cause.  We have only one prayer that we have to 
> say daily.  No one in the world has the power, given to him by 
> Bahá'u'lláh to add another to that daily prayer.  If we should 
> admit this the life of the friends will soon be spent in mere 
> prayer, which is not the aim of the Cause.  The healing prayer 
> and such ones are only for occasional use when the need 
> arises.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to extend to you his hearty 
> greetings and assure you of his prayers.  
> 
> 
>                     Yours in His Name, 
> 
> 
>                             Ruhi Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear fellow-worker:  
> 
> 
>  Your letters are always a source of inspiring joy and 
> stimulating encouragement to me.  You are destined to 
> achieve great things for our beloved Cause and my constant 
> prayer is that your vision may be clear, your purpose unshaken, 
> your zeal undiminished, your hopes undimmed.  Let 
> not obstacles and disappointments, which are inevitable, 
> dishearten you and whenever you are faced with trials recall 
> our Beloved's innumerable sufferings.  You certainly occupy 
> a warm and abiding place in my heart.  
> 
> 
>                     Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                                Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 12. August 25th, 1926
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Spiritual Sister:  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt 
> of your letter dated June 14th 1926, and also thank, through 
> you, the Auckland friends for their kind contribution.  
> 
> 
> He wishes me to assure you and them of his earnest 
> prayers.  He hopes that through your constant endeavours the 
> Cause will progress rapidly in that city and make the spirit of 
> the movement permeate throughout the land.  Though your 
> number is still comparatively small yet through divine guidance 
> and the Master's ever wakeful spirit you will soon add 
> many to your group and make of it a power for goodness 
> which will attract all attention.  
> 
> 
> With best wishes and kindest greetings I remain, 
> 
> 
>                     Yours ever sincerely, 
> 
> 
>                                Ruhi Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear fellow-worker:  
> 
> 
> I am touched by this expression of the loyalty and devotion 
> of the Auckland Bahá'ís whose welfare, and spiritual 
> advancement are the object of my earnest and constant 
> prayer.  I shall devote it to further the interests of the Cause in 
> ways that are dearest and nearest to my heart.  I shall supplicate 
> the Almighty that strength and wisdom may be given you 
> to face and overcome the obstacles and trials that you will inevitably 
> encounter in future.  The end is glorious if we only 
> persevere.  
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                                     Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 13. September 18th, 1926
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Spiritual Brother:  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt 
> of your letter dated July 18, 1926.  He was very glad to learn 
> of the encouraging prospects you have for your "Herald of 
> the South".  He hopes that it will daily progress and add to its 
> importance in drawing the attention of the people there.  A 
> good periodical fully representative of the spirit and teachings 
> of the Cause is the greatest help the Movement can have 
> in establishing itself in a country.  So though difficulties may 
> be found at the outset, we should bear them patiently and 
> await that the future should give us our reward.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to extend to you his loving 
> greetings and assure you, as well as your mother and Mr 
> Brewer, of his constant prayers.  He hopes that through your 
> combined efforts the Herald of the South will soon realise its 
> aim and purpose.  
> 
> 
>                         Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                                     Ruhi Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear and precious co-worker:  
> 
> 
> Your welcome letter has cheered my heart and I look 
> forward with confidence and joy to the harvest which you are 
> destined to reap in the not distant future.  I shall be so pleased 
> and grateful if you would send me regularly a copy of your 
> Bahá'í periodical which I trust and pray will grow from 
> strength to strength and contribute its destined share to the 
> progress and consolidation of the Cause of God.  Be assured 
> of my prayers for your happiness, welfare and spiritual advancement.  
> 
> 
>                        Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                                   Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 14. October 23rd, 1926
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Spiritual Sister:  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt 
> of your letter dated 11-9-26.  He was most gratified to learn 
> that the Cause is becoming more and more known and appreciated 
> by the people in New Zealand.  This is as important as 
> the actual increase of the number of the friends, for it means 
> that the principles are gradually permeating the thoughts of 
> the people and making them more ready and receptive to the 
> full identification of their beliefs with the precepts of the 
> Cause.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to assure you of his prayers 
> for you as well as for the other friends in New Zealand.  He 
> hopes that they will increase both in number as well as in 
> spiritual understanding and insight.  The reports that we occasionally 
> receive from there are most encouraging and hopeful.  
> It seems that the people there due to their breadth of mind 
> and lack of traditional draw-backs show better prospect than 
> many other places.  
> 
> 
> With deepest loving greetings, 
> 
> 
>                      Yours in His Name, 
> 
> 
>                             Ruhi Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear co-worker:  
> 
> 
> Your letter rejoiced my heart.  I request you to persevere 
> and renew your splendid efforts for the consolidation of 
> the work already achieved.  I have great hopes in the `Herald 
> of the South' and trust that the Editor will be guided and 
> strengthened in his noble undertaking.  I shall be obliged if 
> you send me copies of any newspapers that may publish anything 
> on the Cause as I am preparing a collection of them in 
> the Holy Land.  Please assure the friends in New-Zealand of 
> my continued prayers at the holy Shrines for the success of 
> their pioneer work.  
> 
> 
>                       Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                                  Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 15. November 3rd, 1926
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Spiritual Sister:  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt 
> of your letter dated September 13th 1926.  He was most 
> gratified to read the nice and encouraging news it contained.[See note 5]  
> He hopes that the "Herald of the South" will daily increase 
> in importance and now that it is coming out in printed form, 
> obtain a great number of readers.  You should try from the 
> very start to maintain a high standard for its articles.  They 
> should be broad in view, clear in style and scholarly in their 
> development of the different subjects.  In short the `public' 
> should be taught to consider it as a paper fully worthwhile to 
> read and meditate upon.  Shoghi Effendi will remember in his 
> prayers all those who are working in this noble field of service.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi desires that you should extend his loving 
> greetings to all the friends in Auckland.  He hopes that 
> through their endeavours and the Master's invisible guiding 
> hand they will succeed to raise the standard of the Cause in 
> that land to such heights that it will arouse the interest of all 
> the seeking souls and in due time win their support.  
> 
> 
> The members of the Master's family are well and send 
> you their loving greetings.  
> 
> 
>                       Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                                   Ruhi Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear co-worker:  
> 
> 
> I shall pray from all my heart for the steady development 
> and the growing influence of the "Herald of the South".  
> May its voice grow in strength and power, and may its pages 
> increasingly reflect the dynamic spirit of the Faith and mirror 
> forth the ever-expanding activities of the friends in Australasia 
> as well as in distant lands.  Persevere in your efforts, 
> let not obstacles damp your zeal and determination and 
> rest assured that the Power of God which is reinforcing your 
> efforts will in the end triumph and enable you to fulfil your 
> cherished desire.  
> 
> 
>                             Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 16. January 11th, 1927
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> Our beloved Guardian has asked me to write to you for 
> him.  He is very pleased with your letter of Dec. 8th which 
> reached him on Jan. 10th and he is very glad to hear of your 
> activities in New Zealand.  He will pray earnestly that your 
> sincere efforts to make Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation widely 
> known will bring forth much fruit and have a great result.  In 
> the newer countries minds are more open, and the people 
> more ready and willing to receive this Great Message.  
> 
> 
> With regard to the Queen of Rumania's 3 articles--he 
> will see that you receive them correctly.  He considers the last 
> one in which she acknowledges Muhammad as a true Prophet 
> of God to have great importance for the East and especially in 
> Persia.  This evening, I personally have had a most interesting 
> conversation with Dr. Habib of Kermanshah[See note 6] who is now on 
> a visit to Shoghi Effendi with his wife and little girl.  He was 
> telling us of the continued fanaticism of the Moslems of 
> Persia--and how during two periods of the year especially, 
> the fanatical Mullahs preach against the Bahá'ís from their 
> pulpits--saying to the ignorant "No matter what evil things 
> you have done during your life, or what sins you have committed, 
> if you kill a Bahá'í who is an enemy of Islam, or even 
> if you take his property or severely injure him, all your own 
> sins will be wiped out and forgiven for the sake of this good 
> deed of destroying an enemy of the Faith!!"--in this way 
> they incite the people to deeds of violence and persecution.  
> He said that the Bahá'í teachings are spreading rapidly 
> amongst the more educated classes--but it is difficult to 
> teach the very poor and ignorant fanatical people--tho' when 
> they do become Believers, they are very strong and faithful.  
> The 2 periods of particular danger for the Bahá'ís in Persia 
> are the fast month and the period of Moharram[See note 7]--which lasts 
> for 8 weeks.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi is very interested to hear of the 
> engagement of your son to a Bahá'í young lady--and he 
> prays that in future they may do a great work for the 
> "Cause".  He hopes so much that you will recover your full 
> health and strength, and he will pray especially for that.  It is 
> good to know that Esperanto is increasingly studied in New 
> Zealand.  
> 
> 
> He will certainly pray for Miss Palter[Miss Palter was the fiancee of Bertram Dewing. The name is possibly misspelled, and may be "Miss Patton". (Department of the Secretariat, Universal House of Justice. August 16th, 1979)] and her Mother 
> as you ask him to do--and also for your dear son and your 
> two daughters.  Please accept all best wishes from myself and 
> Believe me 
> 
> 
>                        Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                         Ethel J. Rosenberg 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear and able co-worker:  
> 
> 
> I have read the issues of the "Herald" with deep joy 
> and thankfulness.  I will continue to pray at the holy shrines 
> that the invincible power of Bahá'u'lláh may add to your 
> present opportunities, extend the sphere of the Journal, and 
> 
> enable you, individually and collectively, to mirror forth the 
> beauty and the power of this Divine Revelation.  
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 17. January 30th, 1927
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to thank you for the M.O. 
> for 1-- which he has safely received, sent for the help of the 
> sufferers in Persia.  
> 
> 
> He is himself sending this money to the Nat. Assembly 
> in Teheran, and has requested them to send him the receipt 
> for it--When he receives their receipt he will forward it to 
> you, and urges you to give it to the friend who sent the 
> money.  The Persian friends will be very much pleased at receiving 
> this kind remembrance and help from far distant New 
> Zealand!  
> 
> 
> With love and warm Bahá'í greetings from the holy 
> household and the friends here, to the dear friends in Auckland.  
> 
> 
> In the Master's Service, 
> 
> 
>                    Sincerely Yours, 
> 
> 
>                              Ethel J. Rosenberg 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear co-worker:  
> 
> 
> I am deeply touched by this further evidence of the love 
> and devotion of the New-Zealand Bahá'ís and I will gladly 
> forward their contribution of our friend to the Teheran Assembly 
> to be sent by them to the sufferers in Jahrum.  I will ardently 
> pray for every one of you that the Beloved may guide 
> your steps and lead you to glorious victory.  I urge you to 
> communicate regularly and frequently with the Bahá'í 
> newsletter editor through Mr Horace Holley and report to 
> him the progress of your activities.  It is so essential and valuable.  
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 18. May 13th, 1927
> 
> 
> 
> 
> My dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> I take pleasure in thanking you on behalf of my dear 
> Guardian for your letter of April 5th.  
> 
> 
> As a far away outpost of the Bahá'í Faith in New Zealand, 
> he is always delighted to hear from Auckland and especially 
> yourself and your promising Assembly there.  You own 
> a warm spot in his heart and he is looking forward to the day 
> when through the efforts of the Auckland Assembly, centres 
> will be established in every town in New Zealand.  A firm 
> faith and a golden heart is yours, there still remains to turn 
> other hearts into gold.  
> 
> 
> Miss Butler is well and often thinks of you.  Assuring 
> you of our Guardian's prayers and the love and best wishes of 
> the family who always remember you.  
> 
> 
>                     Ever yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                            Soheil Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear and precious co-worker:  
> 
> 
> You should exercise your judgement and tact in delivering 
> the message.  You should make an effort to understand 
> the character and mind of the seeker before you speak to him 
> on the Cause.  I will pray that you may be inspired and guided 
> to follow the path of moderation and may become an 
> exemplary herald of His message in that far-away land.  
> 
> 
>                          Your well-wisher, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 19. June 4th, 1929
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Spiritual Sister:  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt 
> of your letter of Feb. 14th.  He always feels great pleasure to 
> obtain some news from the friends of that distant land and he 
> hopes and prays that through God's blessings and your constant 
> endeavours the Cause will develop in New Zealand and 
> bring into its fold many sincere and devoted souls.  
> 
> 
> The news that we daily obtain from the different parts 
> of the world bring in wonderful news of the progress of the 
> Movement.  The world is gradually appreciating the significance 
> of this Movement which has been for so long misunderstood 
> and denounced.  
> 
> 
>                        Yours ever sincerely, 
> 
> 
>                                    Ruhi Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear Spiritual Sister:  
> 
> 
> I wish to assure you in person of my prayers for you as 
> well as the dear and unforgettable friends in Auckland who 
> assuredly occupy a warm and abiding place in my heart.  I 
> eagerly await the news of the progress of their work, and 
> trust and pray that the Almighty may guide their steps, and 
> help them to surmount every obstacle.  
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 20. October 4th, 1930
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Brother:  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt 
> of your letter dated April 6th 1930 written from London.  He 
> was very happy to learn that wherever you have been you 
> have received wonderful reception from the friends.  Surely, 
> it is only through such acts of hospitality that the true spirit of 
> the Cause is manifested.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to assure you of his prayers 
> and extend to you his hope that wherever you go you will feel 
> the divine help and guidance.  He hopes that in America you 
> will experience the true spirit of love that animates the friends 
> there and that you will give them Shoghi Effendi's greetings.  
> 
> 
>                        Yours ever sincerely, 
> 
> 
>                             Ruhi Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear and precious co-worker:  
> 
> 
> I was much pleased to hear from you and to learn of 
> your experiences.  I trust that the same welcome and loving-kindness 
> will be extended to you by the American friends.  You 
> are often in my thoughts, and I will continue to pray for your 
> spiritual as well as material welfare and advancement.  Convey, 
> when you write to your Mother, my loving and affectionate 
> greetings.  
> 
> 
>                          Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 21. May 18th, 1931
> 
> 
> 
> 
> My dear Bahá'í Sister:  
> 
> 
> I thank you on behalf of the Guardian for your letter of 
> April 16th.  
> 
> 
> He was very glad to know that you are now on your way 
> to England by way of America and he hopes that you will find 
> the occasion and the means of visiting the friends and making 
> permanent connections with them.  Bertram will of course be 
> delighted to meet you and we hope he is successful in his 
> work there.  
> 
> 
>  I suppose you have all the London addresses as the 
> friends there would be delighted to meet you.  Of course if 
> you do decide to visit Haifa on your way back, Shoghi Effendi 
> wishes me to assure you of a most hearty welcome.  
> 
> 
> With his loving greetings to you all and to the young 
> couple in England and with much love from all here.  
> 
> 
>                          Sincerely yours, 
> 
> 
>                            Soheil Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear co-worker:  
> 
> 
> I was so pleased to hear from you and of your plans.  I 
> do hope you will be able to visit the Holy Land where you 
> would be most welcome in `Abdu'l-Bahá's home.  I will pray 
> for the success of your efforts from the depths of my heart 
> when I visit the holy shrines.  May the Beloved enable you to 
> render distinguished services to His Cause and remove every 
> obstacle from your path.  
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 22. December 17th, 1931
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister:  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt 
> of your letter dated Dec. 2nd 1931.  He is very sorry that you 
> cannot on your way to New Zealand, break your journey and 
> come over for a short visit to Haifa.  But these are such 
> difficult days that we should not be astonished and discouraged 
> if our plans fail.  He hopes however that on your way you 
> will meet the friends, especially those in Port Said, for we 
> have no centers in Haifa and Colombo.  
> 
> 
> He was also very sorry to hear that Bertram has to give 
> up his studies and return home.  Shoghi Effendi hopes that 
> this period he spent in America would be itself an education 
> that would help him in his work in serving the Cause.  His activities 
> with the young people there should have made him 
> very experienced and have deepened his understanding of the 
> Faith.  
> 
> 
> I believe Mrs Dunn is planning to come this spring for a 
> visit to Haifa.  Perhaps you will meet her before she starts, 
> Shoghi Effendi is eagerly waiting to see this noble soul who 
> introduced the Cause into Australia and has been so self-sacrificing 
> in her services.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi hopes that on returning home you will 
> start again to serve the Cause and attract new souls.  The 
> world is in great distress and its only salvation is in the spirit 
> and teachings of the Blessed Beauty.  Let us not, we who are 
> the trustees of that divine message, fail in accomplishing our 
> task and fulfilling our purpose.  
> 
> 
> Assuring you of Shoghi Effendi's best wishes I remain 
> 
> 
>                        Yours ever sincerely, 
> 
> 
>                             Ruhi Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dear and valued co-worker:  
> 
> 
> I am wiring the friends in Port-Said to meet you on your 
> arrival and I very much regret your inability to come to Haifa 
> and visit the holy shrines.  I will continue to pray for you, for 
> your son-in-law and for your dear and promising son for 
> whose future work in the Cause I cherish the brightest hopes.  
> I will also remember in my prayers the friends in far-away 
> Australia and New Zealand and will supplicate for them all 
> the Master's richest blessings and unfailing guidance.  
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 23. April 29th, 1933
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister:  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to thank you[See note 8] for your kind 
> letter of March 16th 1933, as well as the enclosed article 
> which has been translated by Mr. Paul into the Maori language.  
> 
> 
> The Guardian has already written Mr. Paul and expressed 
> to him his deep appreciation for the service he has 
> rendered to the Faith, but especially to his own people who 
> through the means of such literature will be acquainted with 
> the teachings and will receive the light of guidance brought to 
> the world by Bahá'u'lláh.  
> 
> 
> I believe the Guardian has already intimated his approval 
> of this pamphlet and the desire that the friends in Australia 
> publish and circulate it among the Maoris.  
> 
> 
> As regards the passages in the sacred writings indicating 
> the wrath of God; Shoghi Effendi says that the Divinity 
> has many attributes:  He is loving and merciful but also just.  
> Just as reward and punishment, according to Bahá'u'lláh, are 
> the pillars upon which society rests, so mercy and justice may 
> be considered as their counterpart in the world to come.  
> Should we disobey God and work against His commands He 
> will view our acts in the light of justice and punish us for it.  
> That punishment may not be in the form of fire, as some believe, 
> but in the form of spiritual deprivation and degradation.  
> This is why we read so often in the prayers statements 
> such as "God do not deal with us with justice, but rather 
> through thy infinite mercy."  The wrath of God is in the administration 
> of His justice, both in this world and in the world 
> to come.  A God that is only loving or only just is not a perfect 
> God.  The divinity has to possess both of these aspects as 
> every father ought to express both in his attitude towards his 
> children.  If we ponder a while, we will see that our welfare 
> can be insured only when both of these divine attributes are 
> equally emphasised and practiced.  
> 
> 
> In closing may I express the Guardian's loving greetings 
> and best wishes for the progress of your work in serving 
> the Cause.  
> 
> 
>                       Yours ever sincerely, 
> 
> 
>                             Ruhi Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> May the Almighty bless your efforts, deepen your 
> understanding of the essentials and distinguishing features of 
> His Faith, guide your steps, and aid and assist you to extend 
> the range of your activities and services.  
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 24. September 1st, 1933
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friend, 
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi has directed me to address you these 
> few lines, acknowledging the receipt of your welcome letter 
> of July 20th, 33, which he has read with deepest interest.  He 
> was gratified to learn that you have newly embraced the 
> Cause and that you are earnestly endeavouring to spread it 
> through every possible means.  It is on young and active 
> Bahá'ís, like you, that the Guardian centers all his hopes for 
> the future progress and expansion of the Cause and it is on 
> their shoulders that he lays all the responsibility for the upkeep 
> of the spirit of selfless service among their fellow-believers.  
> Without that spirit, no work can be successfully 
> achieved.  With it triumph, though hardly-won, is but inevitable.  
> You should, therefore, try all your best to carry aflame 
> within you the torch of faith, for through it you will surely 
> find guidance, strength and eventual success.  
> 
> 
> The Guardian is fully conscious of the difficulties that 
> impede the progress of the Faith in your community.  Chief 
> among these, you mention the lack of courage and of initiative 
> on the part of the believers, and a feeling of inferiority 
> complex which prevents them from addressing the public.  It 
> is precisely these weaknesses that he wishes the friends to 
> overcome, for these do not only paralyze their efforts but 
> actually serve to quench the flame of faith in their hearts.  Not 
> until all the friends come to realize that every one of them is 
> able, in his own measure, to deliver the Message, can they 
> ever hope to reach the goal that has been set before them by a 
> loving and wise Master.  It is no use waiting for some able and 
> eloquent teacher to take all the responsibility for the spread of 
> the Cause.  For such a thing is not only contrary to the spirit of 
> the Teachings but to the explicit text of the writings of Bahá'u'lláh 
> and `Abdu'l-Bahá, both of whom place the obligation 
> of teaching not on any particular class, as in former 
> ecclesiastical organizations, but on every faithful and loyal 
> follower of the Cause.  The teaching of the Word is thus made 
> universal and compulsory.  How long then shall we wait to 
> carry out this command, the full wisdom of which only future 
> generations will be able to appreciate?  We have no special 
> teachers in the Cause.  Everyone is a potential teacher.  He has 
> only to use what God has given him and thus prove that he is 
> faithful to his trust.  
> 
> 
> Visiting teachers, who are, at least in a general way, 
> supposed to be more competent and able than the rest, are undoubtedly 
> of a great help.  But these can never replace the 
> mass of individual believers and fulfil what must be inevitably 
> accomplished through the collective effort and wisdom of 
> the community at large.  What visiting teachers are supposed 
> to do is to give the final touch to the work that has been done, 
> to consolidate rather than supplement individual efforts and 
> thereby direct them in a constructive and suitable channel.  
> Their task is to encourage and inspire individual believers, 
> and to broaden and deepen their vision of the task that is to be 
> done.  And this, not by virtue of any inherent spiritual right, 
> but in the spirit of simple and whole-hearted cooperation.  
> 
> 
> It is in this light that Shoghi Effendi views the whole 
> problem of teaching not only in New Zealand but in all the 
> Bahá'í world.  He would, therefore, encourage you to take a 
> leading part in the carrying out of his wishes on this point, to 
> take yourself an active interest in teaching, not only private 
> but also public, and in this way stimulate the friends to follow 
> your example.  It is then, and only then, that there can be a 
> need for a qualified and competent visiting teacher in order to 
> bring to full fruition individual teaching efforts.  
> 
> 
> Assuring you of our Guardian's fervent prayers on your 
> behalf, so that you may be increasingly blessed in your efforts 
> for the spread of the Message.  
> 
> 
>                        Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                             H. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> May the Beloved guide your steps, cheer your heart, 
> deepen your understanding of the distinguishing features of 
> His Faith and enable you to render the sacred Threshold 
> unique and inestimable services, 
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Part III -- Letters to Individuals, May 1934-1957
> 
> 25. June 13th, 1934
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Brother, 
> 
> 
> The Guardian has duly received and deeply enjoyed 
> reading your letters dated November 30th, December 27th, 
> 1933 and February 4th, 1934.  He is sorry that unforeseen circumstances 
> have caused such a long delay in acknowledging 
> their receipt.  He hopes, however, that the matters you have 
> submitted for his consideration have not suffered as a result.  
> 
> 
> Since your last letter to him, he has heard of the 
> gratifying news of the formation of your N.S.A.[The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand]  This historic 
> step in the development of the Administration in Australia 
> and New Zealand is, he feels, bound to react favourably on 
> the further expansion and consolidation of the Faith in these 
> far-off lands.  He is fervently supplicating Bahá'u'lláh that 
> the newly-elected members of the N.S.A.,[The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand] upon whom has 
> been placed such a tremendous responsibility, be assisted in 
> the discharge of their sacred obligations and duties to the 
> Faith.  
> 
> 
>                        Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                             H. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dear and valued co-worker:  
> 
> 
> The splendid reports you have sent me have been incorporated 
> in the manuscript and sent to the Bahá'í World 
> Committee in America.  The formation of the national assembly 
> of Australia and New Zealand will no doubt furnish you 
> with new and refreshing material for your next report in 
> 1936.  I will pray for your success and deeply value the manifold 
> and constant services you are rendering the Cause of 
> God.  
> 
> 
>                   Your true and grateful brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 26. December 22nd, 1934
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> The Guardian was profoundly grieved to learn of the 
> passing away of your dear mother, and has directed me to 
> convey to you and to the bereaved members of your family, 
> his heartfelt condolences and sympathy for this severe loss 
> which you have sustained.  
> 
> 
> Mrs Blundell's departure is, indeed, a loss not only to 
> her family, but also to the community of her fellow-believers 
> in New Zealand.  For in her they have come to lose one of 
> their oldest and most distinguished co-workers.  
> 
> 
> The Guardian well remembers her pilgrimage to the 
> Holy Land, and has always cherished the hope that she would 
> once more be enabled to visit the shrines.  But alas, her departed 
> soul has taken its flight from this world, leaving her 
> friends and relatives in a state of profoundest grief.  Their 
> only consolation now is the realization that through her 
> painstaking and sustained labours for the Cause in Auckland 
> Mrs Blundell has left an abiding monument to her memory, 
> and one which will continue for many years to come to inspire 
> and strengthen them all in their collective endeavours for the 
> establishment of the Faith in New Zealand.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi is fervently praying for the soul of our 
> departed sister, and is entreating Bahá'u'lláh to give her her 
> full share of divine blessings in the other world.  
> 
> 
> May I also assure you of his ardent supplications for 
> you, and for all the friends in Auckland.  
> 
> 
>                        Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                             H. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 27. January 21st, 1935
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi has just been in receipt of your kind 
> letter of the fourteenth of December last, and has read its 
> contents with deep interest and gratification.  It made him so 
> happy, indeed, to learn that you are pursuing your activities 
> for the Faith with such steadfastness and self-sacrifice, and 
> also that through your beautiful and loving spirit those members 
> of your family who have not yet embraced the Faith are 
> being gradually attracted to it.  He is ardently entreating 
> Bahá'u'lláh that through your inspiration and guidance their 
> interest in the Teachings may wax stronger and lead them to 
> eventually espouse His Cause.  
> 
> 
> With reference to the suggestion made by Mr Alexander[Dick Alexander was the fiance of Miss Vera Dewing. (Department of the Secretariat, Universal House of Justice. August 16th, 1979)] 
> for taking a record of the Guardian's voice, he wishes 
> me to inform you that although he fully appreciates the spirit 
> in which this and similar suggestions are made to him he is, 
> nevertheless, extremely reluctant that the believers should 
> give any prominence to his writings, specially in the meetings 
> which, he is firmly convinced, should be chiefly devoted 
> to the reading and study of the writings of Bahá'u'lláh and the 
> Master.  
> 
> 
> In closing will you kindly convey his greetings and 
> appreciation to all the friends in Auckland, and particularly to 
> the members of your family who, he hopes, will be assisted 
> and sustained in their labours for the spread of the Message.  
> 
> 
>                        Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                              H. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dear and valued co-worker:  
> 
> 
> I am deeply grateful for the services you are so devotedly 
> rendering and the efforts you are so diligently exerting 
> for the promotion of our beloved Faith.  I will continue to 
> pray for you and your dear co-workers from the depths of my 
> heart.  
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 28. February 5th, 1935
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> The Guardian has just received your kind message of 
> the second of January last, and wishes me to thank you for it.  
> 
> 
> It comforted him greatly to learn that, despite the severe 
> loss which you have sustained through the passing away 
> of your mother, you are still engaged as actively as before in 
> the work which you have set your heart to accomplish for the 
> Cause in Auckland.  The agonies of her earthly separation 
> from you, difficult though they may be to bear, will assuredly 
> be transmuted through the blessings of Bahá'u'lláh into a 
> peaceful and abiding joy.  In serving a Cause for which your 
> mother sacrificed so much you will no doubt come to find the 
> very purpose of your life, and the true secret of happiness in 
> this, as well as in the next world.  
> 
> 
> The Guardian is fervently praying for you and for your 
> brother, that you both may be strengthened and guided in 
> your services to the Cause, and in this way continue and 
> enrich still further the noble heritage which your mother has 
> left for the Faith in New-Zealand.  
> 
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings to you and to all the 
> friends in Auckland.  
> 
> 
>                        Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                             H. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dear co-worker:  
> 
> 
> I wish to assure you in person of my heartfelt sympathy 
> in the loss you have sustained, and of my loving and ardent 
> prayers for the departed soul.  The work with which her name 
> will for ever be associated will confer upon her imperishable 
> glory, and her example will serve to stimulate the rising generation 
> to follow in her footsteps, and carry on the work she 
> has so nobly initiated.  
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 29. May 20th, 1936
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> Many thanks indeed from the Guardian for your welcome 
> message of April 17th just received.  He would certainly 
> be delighted to meet you in Haifa next year, and hopes 
> that your visit to the Holy Shrines will give you a fresh vigour 
> and a renewed determination to carry on your work for the 
> Cause.  He specially cherishes the hope that your trip to 
> England will be of great benefit to you, and also to our 
> English believers.  They will be only too happy to welcome 
> you in their midst, and will thoroughly appreciate any assistance 
> which you may give them during your sojourn in 
> England.  
> 
> 
> The Guardian has learned with deep gratification of the 
> news of the teaching work carried on by the Auckland believers.  
> He wishes you to kindly assure them all of his best wishes 
> and fervent prayers for the success of their labours.  May 
> Bahá'u'lláh bless, guide and strengthen them in every step 
> they are taking for the spread of His Faith and the consolidation 
> of its institutions in this far-off land.  
> 
> 
> Assuring you too of his special prayers on your behalf 
> at the Holy Shrines, and with warmest greetings, 
> 
> 
>                        Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                             H. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> Assuring you of a most hearty welcome, and wishing 
> you good-health, happiness and success, 
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 30. September 30th, 1936
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Beloved Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> Your welcome letter dated August 17th has been received 
> and read with deepest appreciation by the Guardian.  
> 
> 
> May I again express his sincere hope that your long-cherished 
> desire to visit the Holy Shrines may be fulfilled 
> very soon, and that through this pilgrimage you may attain a 
> renewed zeal and vigour, as well as a new vision of the task 
> you are called upon to accomplish for the Faith in New-Zealand.  
> 
> 
> In closing let me assure you and your fellow-workers in 
> Auckland of his profound appreciation of your determination 
> to press forward the work in the teaching field.  He is ardently 
> praying for the guidance and success of your labours.  
> 
> 
> With warmest greetings, 
> 
> 
>                        Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                            H. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> May the Beloved fulfil your heart's desire, and enable 
> you to promote effectively the sacred and manifold interests 
> of our beloved and glorious Faith, 
> 
> 
>                   Your true and grateful brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 31. December 7th, 1936
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> The Guardian is in receipt of your letter of the fifth 
> November, and exceedingly regrets that, owing to certain 
> family difficulties, you have found it necessary to cancel your 
> trip to the Holy Land.  He is specially grieved to learn of the 
> many cares and sorrows with which your daughter has been 
> so sadly afflicted of late, and wishes me to hasten to convey to 
> you his most loving sympathy, as well as the assurance of his 
> prayers for the removal of the family troubles with which you 
> are beset.  He fervently hopes that these afflictive trials confronting 
> you and your beloved daughter will all serve to 
> quicken your spiritual energies, and that the outcome of it all 
> will be to open before you new horizons of service, and fresh 
> fields for teaching the Message.  May Bahá'u'lláh give you 
> patience to courageously withstand these tests, and full guidance 
> to use them as a means to more active, concentrated and 
> selfless service to His Cause.  Do assure, therefore, your 
> daughter not to feel disheartened, but to confidently endeavour 
> to overcome her domestic sorrows and cares.  
> 
> 
> In closing may I express the Guardian's hope that, as 
> soon as your family problems are solved, you may be able to 
> undertake your long-cherished pilgrimage to the Holy 
> Shrines.  He is ardently praying for the materialization of your 
> hopes and plans in this connection.  
> 
> 
> It is a pleasure to learn of the successful visit of Mr 
> Schopflocher[Fred Schopflocher was appointed Hand of the Cause of God in Canada on February 29th, 1952.] to Auckland, and of the warm welcome he has 
> been accorded by you and the friends.  This is a true evidence 
> of the strong ties of fellowship so closely uniting the friends 
> throughout the world, and of the deep affection which the believers 
> in New-Zealand cherish for their fellow-believers in 
> every region and clime.  
> 
> 
> With renewed and warmest greetings to you and to the 
> friends in Auckland, 
> 
> 
>                  Yours in the Guardian's Service, 
> 
> 
>                             H. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> Assuring you of my loving and ardent prayers for the 
> removal of every obstacle from your path, and for the speedy 
> realization of your dearest hopes, 
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 32. November 8th, 1937
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> Many thanks for your letter of September 16th addressed 
> to our beloved Guardian.  He is most pleased indeed 
> to hear of Miss Holloway's interest in the Cause and appreciates 
> keenly your efforts for bringing about her full confirmation 
> 
> in the Faith.  He is, at your suggestion, writing her 
> directly and giving her the addresses of some individuals and 
> centers in South Africa.  He hopes that through contact with 
> the friends her interest in the Teachings will be considerably 
> increased and she will be stimulated to help in spreading their 
> knowledge throughout South Africa.  
> 
> 
> The Guardian wishes you to keep in closest touch with 
> her through correspondence, and to send her suitable literature 
> on the Cause, and to endeavour to make her join actively 
> the Faith.  
> 
> 
> Again with many thanks for introducing this lady who 
> indeed seems to be a most promising worker, and with loving 
> greetings to all the friends in Auckland.  
> 
> 
>                     Yours ever in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                             H. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> May the Beloved bless you and aid you to surmount all 
> obstacles that may stand in your path, and aid you to lend a 
> fresh impetus to the work that has been so splendidly initiated.  
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 33. May 17th, 1938
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> The Guardian is in receipt of your letter of the 19th ins., 
> and is indeed pleased to know that your visit to Cairo has been 
> so happy and successful, and that the friends have extended 
> to you such a warm hospitality all through your stay.[See note 9]  
> 
> 
> He hopes this letter will find you well, and enjoying 
> your visit to your relatives and fellow-believers in England.  
> 
> 
> With loving remembrances, and renewed thanks for 
> your message, 
> 
> 
>                        Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                             H. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> May the Beloved fulfil your heart's desire in the service 
> of His Faith, and enable you to promote effectively the interests 
> of its new-born institutions.  
> 
> 
>                          Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 34. December 20th, 1938
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
>  Your very cordial message of the 17th November addressed 
> to our beloved Guardian has duly reached him, and 
> he has noted with keen appreciation indeed the desire you had 
> expressed of visiting the Holy Shrines on your way back to 
> New-Zealand.  
> 
> 
> As you must have surely read in the newspapers, however, 
> the general situation in Palestine is at present so gravely 
> disturbed as to make it quite impossible for you to undertake 
> this trip in the next few months, and in view of this the 
> Guardian would advise that you postpone your visit until the 
> November of next year, by which time, it is hoped, the situation 
> throughout the country will have sufficiently improved 
> to permit you to undertake this long-cherished pilgrimage.  
> The Guardian, needless to say, would be also most delighted 
> to meet you, and to hear from you directly of the news of the 
> Cause in New-Zealand, and to discuss certain matters which 
> the N.S.A.[The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand] has asked you to present to him for his instructions.  
> 
> 
> Regarding your question whether there is any special 
> ceremony which the believers should perform when they 
> wish to "name" a baby; the Teachings do not provide for any 
> ceremony whatever on such occasions.  We have no "baptismal 
> service" in the Cause, such as the Christians have.  
> There would be no objection, however, for the friends to 
> 
> come together on such happy occasions, provided they do not 
> hold an official public ceremony, and provided also they 
> strictly avoid uniformity and rigidity in all such practices.  No 
> rule whatsoever that would tend to be rigid and uniform 
> should be allowed in such secondary matters, particularly as 
> there are no specific instructions in the Teachings regarding 
> them.  
> 
> 
> With the warmest good wishes of the Guardian to you 
> and to the friends, and assuring you again of his hearty welcome 
> to visit the Holy Shrines during next autumn, and with 
> greetings, 
> 
> 
>                        Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                             H. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dear and valued co-worker:  
> 
> 
> I shall indeed grieve if the situation in Palestine should 
> prevent our meeting and prevent your pilgrimage to the Holy 
> Shrines.  I pray that this may not be the case.  I am so eager to 
> meet you, and express in person my deep and abiding sense of 
> appreciation of the splendid and historic services you have 
> rendered.  I will continue to pray for you from the depths of 
> my heart.  
> 
> 
>                   Your true and grateful brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 35. March 20th, 1939
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> I am directed by our beloved Guardian to acknowledge 
> the receipt of your letter dated February 25th, informing him 
> of the date of your departure from England, and your inability 
> to defer your visit to Haifa till next November.  He regrets indeed 
> that you should find it impossible to extend your stay in 
> Europe and come to Palestine in autumn, as the situation here 
> is now so tense and dangerous that there seems very little 
> hope of any real amelioration in security conditions to take 
> place by next May.  General conditions throughout the country 
> are, at present, even worse than a month ago, and the tension 
> is daily increasing.  
> 
> 
>  In case, however, security is reestablished by the time 
> you reach Port-Said, you would be welcome to visit the 
> Shrines, but the Guardian would be still away.  
> 
> 
> Wishing you again a successful and happy return 
> home, and with the renewed assurance of the Guardian's 
> prayers for your welfare, protection and guidance, 
> 
> 
>                        Yours most sincerely, 
> 
> 
>                             H. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dear and valued co-worker:  
> 
> 
> I deeply regret that the situation in Palestine has not 
> yet improved as I realize how eager you are to visit the Holy 
> Shrines.  If however when you reach Port-Said it will at all be 
> possible for you to visit the Shrine, you will be most welcome, 
> I assure you.  May the Almighty fulfil the dearest hope of your 
> heart, 
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 36. August 3rd, 1941
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister:  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi has instructed me to answer your letter 
> to him of May 10th, which just came.  
> 
> 
> He was, as already expressed in the cable he sent you, 
> greatly impressed by the statement in the Quarterly on the 
> true Bahá'í attitude at the present time.  It displayed a correctness 
> of viewpoint, a courage, and a loyalty to Bahá'u'lláh 
> which has led him to disseminate it far and wide:  in the 
> American News Letter, in the two Haifa News Letters, 
> English and Persian, etc.  It was indeed a timely and most 
> noble contribution to the Faith.  
> 
> 
> The friends in both Australia and New Zealand seem to 
> have developed a most outstanding soundness in their relation 
> to the teachings.  This leads Shoghi Effendi to believe 
> that they will make great contributions to the unfoldment of 
> the world-wide aspects of the Faith.  
> 
> 
> His prayers are always with you, and he most deeply 
> appreciates the splendid services you are rendering the 
> Cause, and will pray that the way will open for you to do even 
> greater work and in an ever widening field.  
> 
> 
>  Please assure all the dear friends of Auckland of his 
> loving remembrance and his prayers for their work.  
> 
> 
>                         With Bahá'í love, 
> 
> 
>                            R. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dear and valued co-worker:  
> 
> 
> I cannot refrain from adding a few words in person to 
> assure you of my lively appreciation of your constancy and of 
> the distinctive services you are so ably and devotedly rendering 
> our beloved Faith.  That you may be able to extend 
> their range is my fervent and constant prayer.  Persevere, and 
> be confident and happy.  
> 
> 
>                   Your true and grateful brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 37. December 19th, 1947
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Brother:  
> 
> 
> Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated Dec. 12th 
> has been received, and he has instructed me to answer it on 
> his behalf.  The previous letter you mention cannot have 
> reached him, as he always replies to letters from the friends.  
> 
> 
> Your book[See note 10] touches on a very important subject, and 
> he regrets that he cannot read it himself.  His work is so 
> pressing and multiplying so fast that he invariably refuses to 
> go over the manuscripts the friends send him as he simply 
> cannot attend to such things as well as all his other work.  You 
> should send it to the Reviewing Com. in the U.S.A. and ask 
> their advice.  Perhaps an outside publisher would be interested 
> in it?  The Bahá'í funds have such heavy demands 
> made on them at present that even essential literature must 
> often wait to be published, unfortunately.  
> 
> 
> He fully appreciates the fact that the believers locally, 
> in different parts of the world, often feel that their political 
> party is in many ways striving to accomplish ideals akin to 
> our Bahá'í aims--but the fact remains that the only way for 
> the Bahá'ís to preserve their international character, their 
> unity and integrity, is for them individually to sacrifice these 
> desired political affiliations for the universal good and protection 
> of the Faith.  There is no political party in existence 
> with whose platform we wholly agree, and we must abstain 
> from membership in such parties.  Likewise people who join 
> the Faith must have the courage and conviction to leave their 
> political affiliations behind.  
> 
> 
> There is no reason why this should cause enmity as they 
> are not joining another party, but a universal Faith striving for 
> the advancement of the entire human race.  He thinks there is 
> very little possibility of any politician joining the Faith.  The 
> sacrifice of such individuals' personal ambitions is too great a 
> one for them to make.  The condition of the world today is 
> such that it is obvious no political solution to its problems is 
> going to be found.  We Bahá'ís must therefore concentrate on 
> Bahá'u'lláh's World Order--the true solution.  
> 
> 
> He assures you he will pray your teaching labours may 
> be very successful.  He will also pray for your dear mother's 
> welfare.  
> 
> 
>                       With warmest greetings, 
> 
> 
>                             R. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> Assuring you of my loving prayers for your welfare and 
> success in the service of our beloved Faith, 
> 
> 
>                          Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 38. November 23rd, 1949
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister:  
> 
> 
> Your letter of October 28 has been received, and our 
> beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.  
> 
> 
> First, let me say how very deeply he appreciates the 
> services you have been rendering our glorious Faith in Australia, 
> and particularly Perth, during the past two years.  Your 
> trip has been of real assistance to the teaching work, and it 
> pleased him greatly.  
> 
> 
> Regarding Mr. ...:  it was with the approval of the 
> Guardian that his name was removed from the voting list.  It is 
> very bad for the Cause to have a member of the Community, 
> actively, in the public eye, teaching the Faith, and at the same 
> time showing dishonest characteristics.  We cannot possibly 
> say that because a person also has many virtues, faults as 
> grave as lying and dishonourable conduct regarding money, 
> can be overlooked!  This means that we tolerate as representatives 
> of our Faith people who flagrantly disobey its laws and 
> fundamental teachings.  This does not mean there is no hope 
> for Mr. ...; let him change his conduct, if he really loves 
> the Cause, and then a way will be opened for him to again be 
> active.  But the change must be real and obvious; mere protestations 
> will serve no purpose.  
> 
> 
> He urges you to continue your services in the teaching 
> field in New Zealand, and also to write to the friends in Australia 
> who are disturbed about Mr. ..., and strengthen 
> their faith and determination.  
> 
> 
>                       With warmest greetings, 
> 
> 
>                              R. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> May the Almighty, Whose Cause you serve with such 
> zeal and devotion, reward you for your labours, and graciously 
> assist you to win great victories for His Faith and its 
> institutions, 
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 39. December 18th, 1949
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Brother:  
> 
> 
> Your letter of November 1st was received, and, although 
> our beloved Guardian is so busy at present on the 
> Shrine work here that his mail is piling up alarmingly, he 
> does want to send you a word of appreciation for your fine, 
> constructive spirit and the services you are rendering the 
> Faith.  
> 
> 
> Vicious criticism is indeed a calamity.  But its root is 
> lack of faith in the system of Bahá'u'lláh (i.e. the administrative 
> order) and lack of obedience to Him--for He has forbidden 
> it.  If the Bahá'ís would follow the Bahá'í laws in voting, 
> in electing, in serving, and in abiding by assembly decisions, 
> all this waste of strength thru criticizing others could 
> be diverted into cooperation and achieving the Plan.  Keep on 
> trying to point this out to them!  
> 
> 
>                         With Bahá'í love, 
> 
> 
>                             R. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> Assuring you of my loving prayers for the success of 
> every effort you exert for the promotion of our beloved Faith, 
> and the realization of every desire you cherish for its progress, 
> 
> 
>                  Your true and grateful brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 40. June 11th, 1952
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister:  
> 
> 
> Your two letters of May 25th have been received, and 
> the beloved Guardian thanks you for them, and for the loving 
> sympathy which you express.  
> 
> 
> He hopes that you will make every effort to attend the 
> New Delhi Conference, as it will be a very historic occasion, 
> and the more Bahá'ís from Australia and New Zealand that 
> are present, the better.  
> 
> 
> You should get in touch with the Indian National 
> Spiritual Assembly as regards accommodation etc.  
> 
> 
> This has been a very tiring winter for the beloved 
> Guardian.  He has had so many pilgrims, and so many problems 
> locally, and an ever-increasing amount of work, so I 
> will make this letter brief.  
> 
> 
> He assures you your services are deeply appreciated, 
> and that he will remember you in his prayers.  
> 
> 
>                    With warm Bahá'í greetings, 
> 
> 
>                             R. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> May the Beloved bless, guide and sustain you, and enable 
> you to promote the best interests of His Faith, 
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 41. January 6th, 1955
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister:  
> 
> 
> Your letter of December 21st with enclosure has been 
> received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me 
> to answer you on his behalf.  
> 
> 
> He is happy to know that the New Zealand 
> &Haziratu'l-Quds is being made attractive for the many activities 
> that will take place in this Center, and he hopes it will become 
> the means of the greatest unity and loving cooperation 
> among the friends.  
> 
> 
> He assures all the friends in New Zealand of his deep 
> appreciation of their devoted services.  
> 
> 
>                    With warm Bahá'í greetings, 
> 
> 
>                             R. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> May the Beloved bless, guide and sustain you, and enable 
> you to promote, at all times, the vital interests of His 
> Faith, 
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Part IV -- Letters to Bahá'í Institutions
> 
> 42. March 31st, 1926
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Spiritual Sister:  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt 
> of your letter dated Feb. 18th 1926.  He well appreciates the 
> whole-hearted contributions the friends, the world over, have 
> made to safeguard the neighbourhood of the shrines.  We all 
> hope that this spirit of quick response and action will permeate 
> all the different activities of the Cause.  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi as well as the other members of the 
> family send you, and through you, the Australian and New 
> Zealand friends their best love and greetings.  They all await 
> the good news of the progress of the Movement in Australasia.  
> 
> 
> With loving greetings I remain, 
> 
> 
>                        Yours very sincerely, 
> 
> 
>                             Ruhi Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> My dear fellow-worker, 
> 
> 
> I fully appreciate the self-sacrificing efforts of the 
> New-Zealand Bahá'ís and am glad to inform them that the 
> surroundings of the Shrines on Mt Carmel are secure.  May 
> the Beloved reward them a hundredfold!  Convey my love and 
> gratitude to them all.  
> 
> 
>                          Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 43. May 14th, 1926
> 
> 
> 
> 
> My dear Bahá'í sister, 
> 
> 
> I thank you on behalf of Shoghi Effendi for your letter 
> of Mar. 8th and for the second copy of the draft that you had 
> sent enclosed.  
> 
> 
> He has already received and cashed the first draft and 
> has sent you the receipt for it.  
> 
> 
> He appreciates very much indeed the help of the New 
> Zealand friends and I am sure they would all be very glad to 
> know that the surroundings of the holy Shrines on Mt Carmel 
> have already been safeguarded.  This is such a relief to Shoghi 
> Effendi and all the friends who feared lest the approaches 
> should fall into the hands of speculators and interested men.  
> 
> 
> With heartfelt greetings to the friends in New Zealand.  
> I am 
> 
> 
>                        Yours ever in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                            Soheil Afnan 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dear fellow-worker:  
> 
> 
> I wish to reassure you in person of my continued 
> prayers for you as well as for those friends who in the distant 
> city of Auckland are labouring for the advancement of the 
> Cause in New Zealand.  Please convey to them my brotherly 
> greetings and very best wishes.  I can never forget them and 
> they are ever near to me.  
> 
> 
>                          Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 44. January 7th, 1935
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> The Guardian has duly received your beautiful message 
> of 2nd of December, and he wishes me to thank you for 
> it, as well as for the enclosed copy of the Auckland Assembly's 
> circular letter which he has delivered to the spiritual assembly 
> of Haifa for their perusal.  
> 
> 
> He also wishes me to ask you to kindly inform Mrs 
> Blundell of the receipt of the twenty five copies of the Maori 
> pamphlet which she had lately mailed to him.  These, together 
> with those she had sent previously, have all been placed in his 
> own library, and a few copies have also been placed in the 
> Mansion of Bahá'u'lláh at Bahjí for the information of the 
> general public.  
> 
> 
> In closing the Guardian wishes me to renew to you the 
> expressions of his abiding and genuine appreciation of your 
> labours for the Cause in Auckland, and particularly in connection 
> with your duties as secretary of the local assembly.  
> He is praying from the very depths of his heart for your progress 
> and success in this important field of Bahá'í service.  
> 
> 
> With heartiest greetings to you and all the friends.  
> 
> 
>                        Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                             H. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dearly beloved co-worker:  
> 
> 
> I wish to assure you of my deepest appreciation of your 
> constant and manifold services to the Faith, and particularly 
> of the share you have had in consolidating its administrative 
> institutions in both Australia and New Zealand, whether 
> local or national.  My prayers will continue to be offered from 
> the bottom of my heart for you and for your dear co-workers.  
> Persevere and never feel disheartened.  
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 45. September 26th, 1935
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Beloved Bahá'í co-worker, 
> 
> 
> ...In connection with the N.S.A.'s[The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand] decision regarding 
> the appointment of Mrs. Axford and Mr. Inman to 
> keep records of Australian and New-Zealand activities for the 
> "Bahá'í World"; the Guardian wishes you to assure your 
> fellow-members in the assembly that he fully endorses their 
> choice.  He also wishes you to impress the newly-appointed 
> correspondents with the vital importance of their task, and to 
> urge them to acquit themselves of it with thoroughness, efficiency 
> and vigour....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract from "Letters from the Guardian to Australia            and New Zealand 1923-1957".  p. 10.  Published by            The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of            Australia Incorporated, 1970.)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 46. April 26th, 1936
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Beloved Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> I am directed by the Guardian to thank you for your 
> letter of the 30th March informing him of the date of Miss 
> Kitty Carpenter's arrival in Port-Said.  You can be sure that 
> the friends will be most delighted to meet her, and to render 
> her journey to Haifa as safe and comfortable as possible.  
> 
> 
> The Guardian himself is eagerly looking forward to the 
> pleasure of meeting her, and cherishes the hope that through 
> this pilgrimage she may receive a renewed stimulus to better 
> work for the promotion of the Faith upon her return 
> home....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, ibid., p. 13)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 47. June 10th, 1936
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> ...The Guardian would also advise that the local assemblies 
> take a similar step, and obtain official recognition 
> from the authorities.  In case the Auckland assembly has been 
> registered in the government, will you be so kind as to send 
> him photostatic reproductions of any registration papers or 
> documents that the Auckland friends may have obtained from 
> the authorities, as he wishes to have them published in the 
> next "Bahá'í World"....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, ibid., p. 14)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 48. November 17th, 1936
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> On behalf of the Guardian I acknowledge with deepest 
> thanks the receipt of your letter of the 17th October, and wish 
> also to thank your Assembly for forwarding to him the photostatic 
> reproduction of the registration certificate of the Assembly 
> of Auckland....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, ibid., p. 18)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 49. January 31st, 1938
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> The Guardian wishes me to express his loving thanks 
> for your letter of the third instant, enclosing the half-yearly 
> reports of the Perth and Auckland Spiritual Assemblies, all of 
> which he has been delighted to read.  
> 
> 
> He wishes you to write the Auckland Assembly assuring 
> them of his approval of the request they have made on behalf 
> of Miss Kitty Carpenter for permission to visit Haifa.  He 
> has every hope that through this pilgrimage she will be 
> greatly refreshed and strengthened spiritually, and will upon 
> her return home impart to the friends in New-Zealand some 
> measure of the inspiration she will gain through close contact 
> with the Holy Shrines....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, ibid., p. 24)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 50. November 2nd, 1938
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister, 
> 
> 
> ...The Guardian wishes me to express his gratification 
> at the news of the enrolment of three new members in the 
> Sydney Bahá'í group, and of two others in the Auckland 
> community.  He will pray that these new believers may continue 
> deepening in their faith, and in their understanding of 
> the Teachings, and that each of them may arise and lend 
> every assistance in his power to the further expansion and 
> firmer consolidation of the Faith in that far-off continent....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, ibid., p. 28)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 51. March 22nd, 1939
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Brothers and Sisters, 
> 
> 
> The Guardian wishes me to gratefully acknowledge the 
> receipt of your card conveying to him your Assembly's 
> greetings for Naw-Rúz, and to assure you how deeply he 
> feels appreciative of the renewed expressions of love which 
> you had felt prompted to transmit to him on such a happy and 
> blessed occasion.  
> 
> 
> He immeasurably values indeed your sentiments, and 
> wishes me to take this opportunity of assuring your Assembly, 
> and all the members of the Auckland Bahá'í Community, 
> of his ardent prayers for the further extension of the 
> Faith, and its firmer consolidation in your centre, and for the 
> spiritual advancement and welfare of each and every member 
> of your group.  May this new Bahá'í Year we have just 
> entered witness a fresh intensification of the spirit of service 
> in the heart of each one of you, and lead you to scale still nobler 
> heights of service and sacrifice in your stewardship to the 
> Cause.  
> 
> 
> Reciprocating your kind greetings and with all good 
> wishes for a happy Naw-Rúz.  
> 
> 
>                        Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                             H. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 52. April 19th, 1941
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í friends, 
> 
> 
> ...He was very sorry to learn that Miss Stevenson 
> has passed on.  He will pray for her joy and advancement in 
> the Worlds beyond.  She had the great honour and blessing of 
> being the first New-Zealand believer and her reward must be 
> great....  
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dear and valued co-workers:  
> 
> 
> ...The passing of yet another staunch and indefatigable 
> worker, Miss Stevenson, constitutes yet another loss to 
> the believers in that continent.  The work which that 
> exemplary pioneer has achieved however is imperishable.  
> Kindly assure her relatives of my deepfelt sympathy.  
> 
> 
>                                Sh.  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, ibid., pp. 38, 39)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 53. April 25th, 1941
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í friends:  
> 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi has instructed me to answer your 
> Naw-Rúz greetings of the year 98.  
> 
> 
> He deeply appreciated your thought in sending him a 
> message at such a time.  The loving remembrance of the 
> friends is dear to his heart in these heavy and sad times.  
> 
> 
> He assures you that the friends of Australia and New 
> Zealand are often in his thoughts and prayers, and he is so 
> pleased with the continued evidences of their devotion and 
> services to the Cause of God.  
> 
> 
> With Bahá'í greetings, 
> 
> 
>                        Yours in His Service, 
> 
> 
>                             R. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 54. April 18th, 1942
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister:  
> 
> 
> ...He was delighted to learn that the New Zealand 
> members were able to make the trip to Australia, and that 
> such a highly satisfactory N.S.A. meeting was held, in such 
> a spirit of love and harmony.  No doubt this experience will 
> prove of great value, not only to the National Assembly, but 
> also to the work of the Cause in the days to come....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, ibid., p. 45)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 55. May 12th, 1944
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Sister:  
> 
> 
> Your letters dated March 1st, 25th and March 21st--
> Bahá'í Naw-Rúz greeting--have been received, and the 
> Guardian has instructed me to answer them on his behalf.  
> 
> 
> He was very pleased indeed to hear that the Cause in 
> New Zealand is not only steadily progressing but that it is 
> winning such good friends as Rev. Chandler.  Also the 
> preparations you are making for the Centenary should serve 
> to not only publicise the Faith, but bring the believers closer 
> to liberal-minded fellow-citizens.  
> 
> 
> He himself is at present frightfully busy with local 
> preparations for the Centenary and with cables and 
> correspondence--but he wishes you all to know that his 
> thoughts will be with you on this glorious day of the 100th 
> anniversary of the Báb's declaration, and he will pray for all 
> the New Zealand Bahá'ís in the Holy Shrines.  
> 
> 
> With most loving greetings and best wishes from the 
> Guardian for the success of all your plans.  
> 
> 
>                      Yours with Bahá'í love, 
> 
> 
>                             R. Rabbani 
> P.S.  He appreciated very much your sending Naw-Rúz 
> greetings.  
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> May the Beloved bless your efforts, guide your steps, 
> sustain you in your devoted endeavours, and enable you to 
> promote effectively the best interests of His Faith.  
> 
> 
>                   Your true and grateful brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 56. December 18th, 1949
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Auckland, N.Z.  
> Dear Bahá'í friends:  
> 
> 
> Your letter of October 25th was received and our 
> Guardian was delighted to hear the details of this property 
> you have purchased, and which he trusts will grow to be a 
> very important Bahá'í endowment.  He will be pleased to receive 
> the pictures of it.  
> 
> 
> He felt that no name could be more befitting than that of 
> dear father Dunn.  May the spirit this wonderful soul exemplified 
> stream forth from your school and quicken those Islands.  
> 
> 
>                      With Bahá'í greetings, 
> 
> 
>                             R. Rabbani 
> P.S.  Since writing this letter yours of Nov. 29 has been received.  
> He will certainly pray for the success of your Summer 
> School sessions so soon to begin and for the speedy development 
> of the new school property you have just purchased.  
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> May the Almighty bless bountifully your meritorious 
> labours, guide and sustain you, at all times and under all circumstances, 
> aid you to overcome every obstacle that confronts 
> you and enable you to lend a tremendous impetus, in 
> the days to come, to the progress of your historic work in that 
> promising and far-away Island.  
> 
> 
>                   Your true and grateful brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 57. June 28th, 1950
> 
> 
> 
> 
> The National Spiritual Assembly of the 
> Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand.  
> Dear Bahá'í Friends:  
> 
> 
> ...As Mrs Axford requested Mrs Thomas to write 
> about her Bahá'í life there is every reason to respect her 
> wishes.  This in no way precludes the New Zealand Community 
> from writing about her services and life and keeping this 
> record in the National archives.  The Guardian feels the 
> Auckland Assembly should be consulted, as her, (Mrs Axford's), 
> home community, by Mrs Thomas.  He hopes this In 
> Memoriam article, about so dear and tireless a servant of the 
> Faith, will produce a spirit of love and co-operation amongst 
> all concerned....  
> 
> 
> The acquisition of the site for the New Zealand Summer 
> School was a great step forward in the progress of the Faith 
> there, and he was very pleased about it.  He was also delighted 
> to hear of the formation of the Devonport Assembly, and he 
> hopes next year there will be still more....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, ibid., p. 83)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 58. November 1st, 1950
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Secretary, 
> Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís 
> of Auckland, New Zealand 
> Dear Bahá'í Brother, 
> 
> 
> Your letter on behalf of the Assembly, (as well as your 
> personal note) dated July 6, have been received, but due to 
> the pressure of work piled up during the long and serious illness 
> of Mr Maxwell the Guardian's correspondence has piled 
> up unanswered for some time.  
> 
> 
> He is very pleased to hear the Cause is making progress 
> in New Zealand and the friends unitedly serving, which is the 
> most important thing of all.  
> 
> 
> He was also pleased to hear the Summer School property 
> will be gradually developed and serve the friends and the 
> Community at large in other ways.  He thanks you for the plan 
> of it sent under separate cover.  
> 
> 
> He sends his loving greetings to all the members of the 
> Assembly, and also would like to wish you success with your 
> book.  
> 
> 
> With Bahá'í love, 
> 
> 
>                             R. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you, remove 
> all obstacles from your path, and enable you to win great 
> victories for His Faith and its God-given institutions, 
> 
> 
>                   Your true and grateful brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 59. March 1st, 1951
> 
> 
> 
> 
> National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís 
> of Australia and New Zealand.  
> Dear Bahá'í Friends:  
> 
> 
> ...I would like to add that the Guardian does not consider 
> that it is advisable for New Zealand to be separated in 
> the near future from Australia, and come under the jurisdiction 
> of an independent National Assembly.  He considers that 
> the present arrangement is the best one until such time as 
> there are more assemblies flourishing in New Zealand, and he 
> would consider the basis for a National Assembly strong 
> enough there to support such an institution....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, ibid., p. 91)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 60. June 16th, 1954
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the 
> Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand.  
> Dear Bahá'í Brother:  
> 
> 
> ...He was very happy to see that Mrs Dunn was able 
> to attend the New Zealand Bahá'í Summer School.  For a 
> woman of her age, this was surely a remarkable achievement, 
> and must have been a great inspiration to the New Zealand 
> friends, coming as she did so freshly from the last Intercontinental 
> Teaching Conference held in New Delhi....  
> 
> 
> He attaches great importance to teaching the aboriginal 
> Australians, and also in converting more Maoris to the Faith, 
> and hopes that the Bahá'ís will devote some attention to contacting 
> both of these minority groups....  
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dear and valued co-workers:  
> 
> 
> ...The multiplication of Bahá'í isolated centres, 
> groups and local assemblies, in both Australia and New 
> Zealand--a process that has been steadily and rapidly developing 
> since the inauguration of the Ten-Year Plan, is 
> likewise of paramount importance in the years immediately 
> ahead.  The development of these institutions, particularly in 
> New Zealand, will no doubt hasten the emergence of an independent 
> National Spiritual Assembly in that territory, and 
> will lend a tremendous impetus to the onward march of the 
> Faith in those regions....  
> 
> 
> The purchase of a building in Auckland destined to 
> serve as the National Haziratu'l-Quds of the Bahá'ís of New 
> Zealand, is yet another objective on which attention should 
> be immediately focused--in anticipation of the erection of 
> yet another pillar of the future House of Justice in that remote 
> part of the world....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, ibid., pp. 118, 119, 121, 122)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 61. July 24, 1955
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the 
> Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand 
> Dear Bahá'í Brother:  
> 
> 
> ...The news of the purchase of the Haziratu'l-Quds 
> in Auckland was most welcome.  The acquisition of this 
> building is really one of the pre-requisites for the formation of 
> the National Assembly of New Zealand; he hopes that the 
> impetus this has given to the work of the Faith there, combined 
> with the devotion of the Bahá'ís will speed the formation 
> of local Assemblies, which alone constitute the necessary 
> firm foundation for the National Body, a Body which 
> will be one of the direct pillars supporting the International 
> House of Justice.  He urges, therefore, your Assembly to give 
> all the teaching help it can to New Zealand; and to encourage 
> the believers there to do their utmost to achieve their 
> goals....  
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dear and valued co-workers:  
> 
> 
> ...The purchase of the Haziratu'l-Quds in Auckland, 
> as the future headquarters of the New Zealand National 
> Spiritual Assembly, is another accomplishment that merits 
> the highest praise....  
> 
> 
> ...The establishment of Bahá'í endowments in the 
> Dominion of New Zealand is yet another responsibility devolving 
> upon their elected national representatives, a responsibility 
> which should be discharged prior to the emergence 
> of an independent national assembly in that distant and 
> promising island.  
> 
> 
>  Whilst these immediate goals are being steadily and resolutely 
> pursued, attention should, likewise, be particularly 
> directed to the vital need for the constant multiplication of 
> isolated centres, groups and local assemblies, as well as to 
> the necessity of increasing, to an unprecedented degree, the 
> number of the avowed adherents of the Faith who can directly 
> and effectively contribute to the broadening of its foundations 
> and the expansion of its nascent institutions.  Particularly in 
> the Dominion of New Zealand, where a pillar of the future 
> Universal House of Justice will soon be erected, must a fresh 
> impetus be lent to this vital process which can alone reinforce 
> the foundations on which this projected institution must ultimately 
> rest....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, ibid., pp. 123, 125, 126, 127)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 62. June 13th, 1956
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the 
> Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand.  
> Dear Bahá'í Brother:  
> 
> 
> ...As regards the question the Auckland Assembly 
> has asked about vivisection, there is nothing on this subject in 
> the Bahá'í teachings.  At a future date such matters will no 
> doubt be taken up by the International House of Justice....  
> 
> 
> He is delighted to hear that the New Zealand friends are 
> so eagerly carrying on their work in preparation for their National 
> Assembly next year.  Their coming of age, so to speak, 
> will be a source of pride to all their fellow National Assemblies, 
> and they will form a welcome addition to the pillars 
> which must ultimately sustain the International House of 
> Justice....  
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dear and valued co-workers:  
> 
> 
> ...Particular attention should be devoted to the urgent 
> needs of the New Zealand Bahá'í community, through 
> the formulation of a plan which will enable it to swell the 
> number of its administrative institutions, enlarging and 
> reinforcing thereby the foundations on which its forthcoming 
> National Assembly must ultimately rest....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, ibid., pp. 130, 131, 133)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 63. September 5th, 1956
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Secretary, 
> Regional Teaching Committee for New Zealand.  
> Dear Bahá'í Brother:  
> 
> 
> Your letter of August 3rd with enclosure has been received 
> by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to 
> answer you on his behalf.  
> 
> 
> He was happy to see this report of the activities of the 
> Bahá'ís in New Zealand, and will be pleased to receive a 
> copy of your News Letter regularly.  
> 
> 
> The Guardian wishes your Committee and the believers 
> there to know that he has high hopes for their future 
> achievements in that far-off land, where they are now on the 
> threshold of that historic event, the election of their own National 
> Spiritual Assembly.  He deeply values their devotion, 
> and the eager and fervent character of their services.  
> 
> 
>                    With warm Bahá'í greetings, 
> 
> 
>                             R. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> Assuring you of my loving prayers for your success and 
> spiritual advancement, 
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 64. April 4th, 1957
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Message from the Guardian at the inception of the New 
> Zealand National Spiritual Assembly.  
> 
> 
> I share with the assembled delegates, gathered to elect, 
> on this historic occasion, the second National Spiritual Assembly 
> of the Bahá'ís of the Antipodes, the feelings of profound 
> satisfaction and gratitude to Bahá'u'lláh evoked by 
> this epoch-making event in the evolution of His Faith in that 
> far off region of the globe.  I am deeply conscious of the decisive 
> share which the Australian Bahá'í Community, labouring 
> during more than three decades, for the spread of the 
> light of this glorious revelation among the highly progressive 
> people of that distant continent, has had in the laying of the 
> foundations of the Administrative Order and the erection of 
> yet another pillar of the future Universal House of Justice in 
> this remote Dominion.  
> 
> 
> The emergence of this independent Bahá'í Community, 
> no matter how limited its numerical strength and modest its 
> resources, must be regarded as a highly significant development 
> in the rise and establishment of the Bahá'í Faith in the 
> Pacific Area, and should synchronise with the formulation, 
> on the part of the National Spiritual Assembly now being 
> elected in that Island, of a subsidiary Six-Year-Plan, designed 
> to reinforce substantially the numerical strength of the 
> Community; to multiply its Centres, as well as its Local 
> Spiritual Assemblies; to incorporate the solidly grounded 
> amongst them; to inaugurate a National Fund; to obtain 
> recognition for both the Bahá'í marriage certificate and the 
> Bahá'í Holy Days; to lend an unprecedented impetus to the 
> conversion of the Maoris, and to ensure their active participation 
> in the conduct of Bahá'í Administrative Institutions; to 
> extend the scope of the work already initiated in the South 
> Island; to incorporate the newly formed National Spiritual 
> Assembly, and to select and acquire a site for the first 
> Mashriqu'l-Adhkár of that Dominion.  
> 
> 
> I call upon the members of the Australian National 
> Spiritual Assembly, as well as the members of the Australian 
> Bahá'í Community, to continue to lend their valued support 
> to this newly pledged sister Community, and to enable it, 
> through the extension of material assistance as well as the 
> dispatch of visiting teachers and pioneers, to contribute, in 
> an ever increasing measure, to the furtherance of the 
> magnificent and colossal campaign now being so vigorously 
> conducted in the North, in the South, and in the heart of the 
> Pacific Ocean.  
> 
> 
> May the outpourings of the Holy Spirit continue to 
> energise this small yet resolute forward marching, dedicated 
> community, and may the outcome of the collective efforts of 
> its members contribute decisively to the triumphant consummation 
> of the World Crusade on which the entire body of the 
> followers of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh have so confidently embarked.  
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 65. May 20th, 1957
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly 
> of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand.  
> Dear Bahá'í Friends:  
> 
> 
> Our beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you 
> on his behalf and inform you that the Hand of the Cause, Mr 
> Varqá, will shortly be forwarding to your assembly the 
> equivalent of five hundred English pounds, as the Guardian's 
> contribution to your newly established National Fund.  
> 
> 
> He hopes that in the formulation of your plans, particular 
> attention will be given to the all-important teaching 
> work, the foundation of all the activities of the Faith and the 
> most urgent task facing the friends in this critical period the 
> world is passing through.  
> 
> 
> You may be sure he will pray for your success, 
> 
> 
>                      With Bahá'í greetings, 
> 
> 
>                             R. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 66. June 27th, 1957
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly 
> of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand.  
> Dear Bahá'í Sister:  
> 
> 
> I am instructed by our beloved Guardian to write you 
> on his behalf and assure you he was most happy to receive 
> your letter dated May 4.  
> 
> 
> He rejoices with the New Zealand Bahá'ís in the formation 
> of their historic National Assembly.  They are now 
> firmly launched on the course of their own destiny, and undoubtedly 
> the Faith will go forward very much faster.  They 
> have an advantage not shared by many of their fellow National 
> Assemblies, of exclusively administering the affairs of 
> the Faith in a small area, which means that they can function 
> much more efficiently.  When one remembers the many years 
> that the New Zealand and Australian believers toiled to carry 
> on the work in those two countries, with the sea in between, 
> and inadequate funds to provide transportation, which necessitated 
> so much of the National Assembly's work being carried 
> on by correspondence, one can appreciate the advantages 
> you now enjoy.  
> 
> 
> The formation of a new National Body in any case is an 
> organic thing, and a new and lively flow of life will go out 
> into all the members of the Community from this Assembly.  
> 
> 
> As regards the question you asked him about the site for 
> the Temple, this need not be a large piece of land at this 
> time--three or four acres would be sufficient for the site if 
> you find suitable land is expensive.  If the worst comes to the 
> worst, when the time comes to build the Temple, the site can 
> be changed.  In Uganda some years ago, they purchased a 
> Temple site, and later, a large piece of land for their endowment.  
> With the Guardian's permission, they exchanged the 
> two as the Endowment's position was better for the Temple.  
> So you see, it need not be too rigid.  The point is to get a Temple 
> site as soon as possible.  He feels it should be in the outskirts 
> of Auckland, within easy motoring distance, so that the 
> friends can attend services there.  Naturally the closer to the 
> city, the better.  
> 
> 
> As you formulate your plans and carry them out for the 
> work entrusted to you during the next six years, he wishes 
> you to particularly bear in mind the need of teaching the 
> Maoris.  These original discoverers of New Zealand are of a 
> very fine race, and they are a people long admired for their 
> noble qualities; and special effort should be made, not only to 
> contact the Maoris in the cities and draw them into the Faith, 
> but to go to their towns and live amongst them and establish 
> Assemblies in which at least the majority of the believers will 
> be Maoris, if not all.  This would be indeed a worthy 
> achievement.  
> 
> 
> The beloved Guardian assures you all of his prayers for 
> the success of the historic work you are now undertaking, and 
> he feels sure you will achieve your goals.  
> 
> 
>                   With warmest Bahá'í greetings, 
> 
> 
>                             Ruhiyyih 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dear and valued co-workers:  
> 
> 
> The emergence of the New Zealand National Spiritual 
> Assembly, as a result of the convocation of the first Bahá'í 
> historic Convention held in that far-away and promising 
> Dominion, will be hailed by posterity as an event of the 
> greatest significance, marking the erection of another pillar 
> designed to support, in the South Pacific area, the future 
> Universal House of Justice.  My heart overflows with happiness 
> and is filled with gratitude as I contemplate the splendid 
> progress achieved, in recent years, in that far-off island, and 
> note the loyalty and devotion with which the members of this 
> valiant community, now standing on the threshold of unprecedented 
> achievements, have discharged their manifold 
> and sacred responsibilities.  
> 
> 
> The six brief years that now lie ahead must witness a 
> swift expansion in the scope of Bahá'í activities throughout 
> the length and breadth of that Dominion, as well as a steady 
> consolidation of the foundations of the institutions that have 
> been so painstakingly laid.  The Six-Year Plan upon which the 
> New Zealand believers have now so auspiciously embarked 
> must be diligently prosecuted and brought to a triumphant 
> conclusion.  All must participate, whether young or old, veterans 
> as well as newly enrolled believers, all must contribute 
> their share to the ultimate success of this mighty collective 
> enterprise, however limited their means, however modest 
> their abilities, however restricted the range of their previous 
> experiences.  
> 
> 
> The increase in the number of the avowed adherents of 
> the Faith; the multiplication of isolated centres, groups, and 
> local assemblies; the incorporation of the newly formed National 
> Spiritual Assembly as well as all firmly grounded local 
> assemblies; the recognition of the Bahá'í marriage 
> certificate by the civil authorities, and of the Bahá'í Holy 
> Days by the Superintendent of schools in that island; the 
> rapid conversion of the Maoris and their close association 
> with the white believers in the administration of the affairs of 
> the community; the consolidation of the work energetically 
> initiated in the South Island; the selection and purchase of the 
> site for the Mother Temple of New Zealand--these stand out 
> as the foremost objectives of the Plan now demanding of its 
> high minded determined prosecutors, the utmost consecration, 
> unrelaxing vigilance and the noblest self-sacrifice.  
> 
> 
> The tasks, challenging the spirit and resources of this 
> community, whose numerical strength is as yet so limited, 
> whose material resources are so circumscribed, whose past 
> experiences have, in many respects, been confined to a narrow 
> range, are truly formidable.  The alloted time, during 
> which so stupendous an undertaking is to be consummated, is 
> short.  The obstacles confronting its members are varied and 
> manifold.  Yet the sustaining grace promised to all those who 
> will arise, with single-mindedness, courage, dedication and 
> high resolve to aid in the attainment of these noble objectives, 
> is of such potency that no earthly power can resist the ultimate 
> fulfilment of so glorious a task, or even delay its eventual 
> fruition.  
> 
> 
> I appeal most earnestly to all those who, in both the 
> teaching and administrative fields, are committed to carry 
> out so magnificent an enterprise, as well as to those who, in 
> an unofficial capacity, are called upon to further, by every 
> means in their power, the interests of this epoch-making 
> Plan, to dedicate themselves, at this hour to the arduous, yet 
> infinitely precious task they have shouldered, and to devote, 
> in the days and years that lie ahead, every ounce of their 
> energy to the systematic prosecution of a Plan, on which the 
> immediate destinies of the entire New Zealand Bahá'í community 
> directly depend; and which can alone provide the 
> stepping-stone to the still more brilliant achievements destined 
> to ennoble the annals of the Faith in that remote island 
> of the globe.  
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 67. July 19th, 1957
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly 
> of the Bahá'ís of Australia.  
> Dear Bahá'í Brother:  
> 
> 
> ...As regards the "Herald of the South" magazine, 
> in view of the important work lying ahead of your Assembly, 
> and the fact that this magazine is a drain on the limited resources 
> of the Community, he thinks it would be quite all 
> right to suspend publication until a future date when the 
> financial situation permits such expenditures to be made with 
> relative ease.  He leaves, however, the final decision to your 
> Assembly.  
> 
> 
> The Committee responsible for the publication of this 
> magazine has certainly laboured valiantly throughout the 
> years, and the publication will be missed by its readers.  
> However, it is some years since the American Bahá'í Magazine 
> was abandoned for similar reasons, and the Guardian 
> feels that you can do so in Australia, and the funds be used to 
> better advantage, at this time.  However, now that you have 
> found a printer in Sydney and appointed a new committee, he 
> thinks you should continue it and give the new Plan a try....  
> 
> 
> The successful culmination of the long standing 
> partnership of the Australian and New Zealand believers thru 
> the emergence of the New Zealand N. S. A. is a source of 
> great satisfaction to the Guardian, and no doubt to all the 
> members of both communities.  He feels sure this will mark 
> a turning point in the work in the Antipodes and the 
> neighbouring islands and give a new lease of life to the 
> teaching work throughout that area.  Both your Assembly and 
> that of New Zealand have now emerged into your permanent 
> form as pillars of the future International House of Justice.  
> The bones of the skeleton of the World Order are growing 
> strong, but only the teaching work can clothe them with 
> flesh....  
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> Dear and valued co-workers:  
> 
> 
> ...Particularly commendable, and indeed exemplary, 
> has been the share of the Australian believers in enabling 
> the New-Zealand Bahá'í Community to make such 
> rapid strides, in recent years, strides that have prepared it 
> for the assumption of its sacred and vital function as an independent 
> community, and which culminated in the formation 
> of a body qualified to take its place, and assume the weighty 
> responsibilities incumbent on it, as a distinct and separate 
> member of the world-wide family of Bahá'í national and regional 
> Spiritual Assemblies....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, ibid., pp. 135, 137, 138)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 68. August 30th, 1957
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Secretary, Spiritual Assembly of the 
> Bahá'ís of the City of Auckland.  
> Dear Bahá'í Friends:  
> 
> 
> This is just a brief note, on behalf of the beloved 
> Guardian, to acknowledge your letter of July 5th (8th 
> &Rahmat, 114) and tell you he appreciates your action in 
> sending the cable to Irán, and assure you of his loving prayers 
> for the rapid progress of the Faith in Auckland.  
> 
> 
>                    With warm Bahá'í greetings, 
> 
> 
>                             R. Rabbani 
> 
> 
> 
> In the Guardian's own handwriting:
>   
> 
> 
> May the Almighty sustain you in your constant and 
> meritorious endeavours, guide every step you take, and bless 
> every effort you exert, for the promotion of the interests of His 
> Faith, 
> 
> 
>                         Your true brother, 
> 
> 
>                               Shoghi 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 69. September 9th, 1957
> 
> 
> 
> 
> National Spiritual Assembly of the 
> Bahá'ís of New Zealand.  
> Dear Bahá'í Friends:  
> 
> 
> The Beloved Guardian is very anxious to secure information 
> as to the native tribes which have been contacted by 
> any of the Believers in your area; and of course if there are 
> any Believers from these Tribes, that would be even more 
> interesting.  
> 
> 
> Can you prepare a list showing the number of Tribes 
> that have been contacted, and of these Tribes, the number 
> who have become Believers.  This would be very interesting 
> information.  
> 
> 
> Can you secure it at an early date and send it on to the 
> Beloved Guardian.  
> 
> 
> With loving Bahá'í Greetings, 
> 
> 
>                       I am Faithfully yours, 
> 
> 
>                             Leroy Ioas 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Part V -- Telegrams to New Zealand
> 
> 70. To Summer School care Bahá'í Assembly Postbox 1906 Auckland                                          January 22nd, 1949 )
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ASSURE ATTENDANTS HEARTFELT LOVING 
> PRAYERS SUCCESS SESSION REALIZATION 
> DEAREST HOPES DEEPEST APPRECIATION.  SHOGHI 
> RABBANI 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 71. To Auckland Assembly Box 1906 Auckland                                         December 29th, 1949 )
> 
> 
> 
> 
> GRIEVED PASSING PRECIOUS PIONEER PROMOTER 
> FAITH MRS AXFORD PRAYING FERVENTLY 
> SHRINES PROGRESS SOUL Abhá KINGDOM HER 
> SERVICES UNFORGETTABLE.  SHOGHI 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 72. To Summer School Care Auckland Assembly Box 1906 Auckland                                         December 29th, 1949 )
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ASSURE ATTENDANTS SUPPLICATING RICHEST 
> BLESSINGS DELIBERATIONS SCHOOL.  SHOGHI 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 73. To New Zealand School Care NatBahá'í Sydney                                         December 30th, 1953 )
> 
> 
> 
> 
> LOVING APPRECIATION ASSURANCE FERVENT 
> PRAYERS.  SHOGHI 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Part VI -- Statements on Various Subjects
> 
> 74. ALCOHOL
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> You had asked in connection with the subject of prohibition.  
> Of course in every country one must take into consideration 
> the exact conditions as to whether by force of 
> legislation people can be stopped from drinking, but as a 
> principle the Bahá'í teachings are quite against drinking intoxicating 
> liquors and from the Bahá'í point of view every 
> thing that helps to stop drinking is welcome.  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,            December 30th, 1925)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 75. EVOLUTION
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> We cannot prove man was always man for this is a fundamental 
> doctrine, but it is based on the assertion that nothing 
> can exceed its own potentialities, that everything, a stone, a 
> tree, an animal and a human being existed in plan, potentially, 
> from the very "beginning" of creation.  We don't believe 
> man has always had the form of man, but rather that 
> from the outset he was going to evolve into the human form 
> and species and not be a haphazard branch of the ape family.  
> 
> 
> You see our whole approach to each matter is based on 
> the belief that God sends us divinely inspired Educators; what 
> they tell us is fundamentally true, what science tells us today 
> is true; tomorrow may be entirely changed to better explain a 
> new set of facts.  
> 
> 
> When `Abdu'l-Bahá says man breaks the laws of nature, 
> He means we shape nature to meet our own needs, as no 
> animal does.  Animals adapt themselves to better fit in with 
> and benefit from their environment.  But men both surmount 
> and change environment.  Likewise when He says nature is 
> devoid of memory He means memory as we have it, not the 
> strange memory of inherited habits which animals so strikingly 
> possess.  
> 
> 
> These various statements must be taken in conjunction 
> with all the Bahá'í teachings; we cannot get a correct picture 
> by concentrating on just one phrase.  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,            June 7th, 1946 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 76. "HERALD OF THE SOUTH"--                   Persevere
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I shall pray from all my heart for the steady development 
> and the growing influence of the "Herald of the South".  
> May its voice grow in strength and power, and may its pages 
> increasingly reflect the dynamic spirit of the Faith and mirror 
> forth the ever-expanding activities of the friends in Australasia 
> as well as in distant lands.  Persevere in your efforts, 
> let not obstacles damp your zeal and determination and 
> rest assured that the Power of God which is reinforcing your 
> efforts will in the end triumph and enable you to fulfil your 
> cherished desire.  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, undated letter by Shoghi Effendi)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 77. "HERALD OF THE SOUTH"--                   Effective teaching medium.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ...Regarding the "Herald of the South" magazine, 
> Shoghi Effendi very much appreciates the fact that in spite of 
> the many difficulties that your Assembly had to overcome 
> this review is being regularly published, and that its standard 
> is gradually improving.  He would call upon all the English-speaking 
> friends to contribute, as often as they can, such articles 
> for publication in that magazine as would serve to make 
> it a more direct and effective teaching medium for the spread 
> of the Cause throughout Australia and New-Zealand.  He is 
> advising the American N. S. A. to specially ask the cooperation 
> of the American believers for that purpose, and hopes 
> that the response they will make to this call will be such as to 
> further encourage you in your splendid efforts for the publication 
> of this national organ of the Faith....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, ibid., pp. 12, 13, dated April 15th, 1936)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 78. "HERALD OF THE SOUTH"--                   Difficulties.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ...The Guardian, while fully aware of the difficulties, 
> both financial and otherwise which your N. S. A.[The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand] is facing 
> in connection with the publication of the "Herald of the 
> South", feels nevertheless the urge to advise you to continue 
> with this magazine and not to feel in the least discouraged if 
> your efforts for meeting the expenses incurred for its printing 
> and circulation, and for raising its literary standard, do not 
> bring the expected results.  He very deeply values the self-sacrificing 
> and sustained efforts exerted by your Assembly in 
> this connection.  May Bahá'u'lláh richly reward you for all 
> your meritorious endeavours....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>       (Extract, ibid., p. 16, dated September 23rd, 1936)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 79. "HERALD OF THE SOUTH"--                   Psychic practices.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ...In connection with the article published in the 
> October number of the "Herald of the South" entitled 
> "Above the Mists"; the Guardian wishes the believers to 
> disregard such subjects as psychic practices and phenomena, 
> for these besides not being authenticated by the Writings of 
> the Founders of the Faith, pertain mostly to the domain of 
> conjectures.  The magazines of the "Herald of the South" 
> should be devoted to the study and presentation of those subjects 
> that reflect the spirit of the Teachings, and which as such 
> are worthy of consideration by the believers.  As the national 
> organ of the Australian and New-Zealand friends its main 
> function is to assist in disseminating the knowledge of the 
> Cause, and thus develop into an effective teaching medium.  
> This is the goal which the editors should have constantly in 
> 
> mind, and which they should endeavour to attain through the 
> best possible means they can devise at present....  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>       (Extract, ibid., pp. 25, 26, dated March 30th, 1938)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 80. PHILOSOPHERS
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> We must not take many of `Abdu'l-Bahá's statements 
> as dogmatic finalities, for there are other points which when 
> added to them round out the picture.  For instance, when He 
> calls Aristotle and Plato Philosophers of the East, He is obviously 
> placing them in that category because He believes they 
> belong more correctly to Eastern culture than to Central 
> European and the New World cultures of the West.  When He 
> calls the philosophers of the West materialistic this does not 
> for a moment mean He includes all Western philosophers for, 
> as you truly point out, many of them have been very spiritual 
> in their concepts....  
> 
> 
> Historians cannot be sure Socrates did not visit the 
> Holy Land.  But believing as we do that `Abdu'l-Bahá had an 
> intuitive knowledge quite different from our own, we accept 
> His authority on this matter....  
> 
> 
> The Guardian hopes this will better enable you to 
> understand our wonderful Faith--for a living religion it is, 
> and not merely a philosophy!  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,            June 7th, 1946)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 81. SCOUTING
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> As to the Scout movement, they afford a great disciplinary 
> lesson to the young boys and girls provided they are 
> not prepared directly for the army.  In some towns here we 
> have in some of the schools Scout troops who are also students 
> of the Colleges and it has proved to be a great educational 
> scheme for helping the development of the children but 
> they are never taught to carry arms or even the use of firearms.  
> And furthermore they are often taught the evils of war 
> rather than encourage them to become in future active 
> soldiers with imperialistic designs.  This of course is my own 
> personal view.  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,            December 30th, 1925)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 82. SOUL, MIND AND SPIRIT
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> When studying at present, in English, the available 
> Bahá'í writings on the subject of body, soul and spirit, one is 
> handicapped by a certain lack of clarity because not all were 
> translated by the same person, and also there are, as you 
> know, still many Bahá'í writings untranslated.  But there is no 
> doubt that spirit and soul seem to have been interchanged in 
> meaning sometimes; soul and mind have, likewise, been interchanged 
> in meaning, no doubt due to difficulties arising from 
> different translations.  What the Bahá'ís do believe though is 
> that we have three aspects of our humanness, so to speak, a 
> body, a mind and an immortal identity--soul or spirit.  We 
> believe the mind forms a link between the soul and the body, 
> and the two interact on each other.  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>      (Extract, letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,            June 7th, 1946)  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Appendix (Notes)
> 
> 1.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   (Letter No. 1)  Margaret Stevenson, the first New Zealand Bahá'í
> was born on November 30th, 1865.  Her first intimation of the Bahá'í Faith
> was through reading "The Christian Commonwealth" and she admitted
> later that "she did not think any more about it".  She received this journal
> from her sister who was in London studying music and had heard
> `Abdu'l-Bahá address the congregation of St. John's, Westminster at the
> invitation of Canon Wilberforce.  She was so impressed that when another
> discourse given by `Abdu'l-Bahá at City Temple, London was printed in
> "The Christian Commonwealth" dated March 27th, 1911, she sent a copy
> of the journal to Margaret in New Zealand.  In 1912, Miss Dorothea Spinney 
> arrived in Auckland from London and stayed with Margaret at her 
> home, "Clunie", 3, Cowie Street, Parnell where she talked about the 
> Bahá'í Cause and her own meeting with `Abdu'l-Bahá.  To quote Margaret's 
> own words:  "As a child, I used to wish I had lived when Christ was 
> on earth.  As Miss Spinney spoke, I remembered my childhood wish, and 
> the thought came to me that I too might have denied Him as so many others 
> had done.  It was this secret thought that made me seriously think of what I 
> heard from Miss Spinney, and through God's grace and mercy I was 
> enabled to grasp and believe in Bahá'u'lláh and His Message".["The Bahá'í World, Vol. IX, 1940-1944", pp. 600-602. Bahá'í Publishing Committee, Wilmette, Illinois, 1945]  Margaret 
> spoke to others of her belief and obtained literature from America, becoming 
> a subscriber to "Star of the West".  Eventually a study group was 
> formed in Auckland and for ten years, Margaret's home was a venue for 
> these classes.  It was here that the first Bahá'í Feast in New Zealand took 
> place in January, 1923.
> 
> 
> In 1925, Margaret was one of a small group who journeyed from 
> New Zealand to the Holy Land on pilgrimage, and after an inspiring nineteen 
> days in Haifa, travelled on to England where she met with the English 
> Bahá'í community.  The pilgrims arrived back in Auckland in December, 
> 1925, bringing with them some dust from the Tomb of Bahá'u'lláh which 
> was placed in New Zealand soil at the Stevenson's home in a ceremony 
> held on February 14th, 1926.
> 
> 
> In such a geographically remote country, the early New Zealand 
> believers had scant knowledge of Bahá'í administration and erroneously 
> called themselves an Assembly as early as 1924.  This was corrected with 
> 
> the receipt of a booklet on the subject and the first properly constituted 
> Bahá'í Assembly in New Zealand was formed on April 21st, 1926, with 
> Margaret Stevenson as its Secretary.  A steadfast worker, Margaret was a 
> member of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia 
> and New Zealand which was elected in 1934, and served the Bahá'í Cause 
> with faithfulness and efficiency until her passing to the Abhá Kingdom on 
> February 11th, 1941.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 2.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   (Letter No. 1)  Born in London in 1855, Hyde Dunn was engaged in 
> business in Britain and continental Europe before emigrating to the United 
> States.  In 1905, whilst at a tinsmith's shop in Seattle, he observed the 
> shopkeeper in excited conversation with a man who had just returned from 
> the Prison of `Akká and the presence of `Abdu'l-Bahá; he overheard the 
> quotation "Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country, but let him 
> glory in this, that he loves his kind".  Hyde Dunn later recalled that "The 
> words reached me with dynamic force, its truth and power crystallised in 
> my heart--a new consciousness awakened...  That one glorious utterance 
> magnetised my whole being, appealed as a new note, sent forth from 
> God to His wandering creatures--a Message from the Supreme to the sons 
> of men".["The Bahá'í World, Vol. IX, 1940-1944", pp. 593-596. Bahá'í Publishing Committee, Wilmette, Illinois, 1945]  Recognising the Truth, Hyde Dunn interrupted the conversation, 
> and accepted immediately the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh.  The year 
> was 1905.
> 
> 
> In 1912, he was present at a meeting with `Abdu'l-Bahá in San 
> Francisco and declared it was the Master's "penetrating glance, his life 
> giving words, he felt gave him the power that enabled him later to become 
> the spiritual conqueror of a continent".  Accompanied by his English born 
> wife, Clara, he answered the call of the "Tablets of the Divine Plan" and 
> on April 18th, 1920 reached Australia whence they travelled to New Zealand 
> in 1922-3, not knowing there was already a believer there (Margaret 
> Stevenson).  With their arrival in Auckland, the Cause grew in that country 
> and when Hyde Dunn left to return to Australia, Clara remained for a time 
> to organise a study group in New Zealand.
> 
> 
> Known affectionately among Bahá'ís as "Mother" and "Father" 
> Dunn, they carried the Message of Bahá'u'lláh from New South Wales to 
> Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, across the desert to Perth and to 
> tropical Queensland and became the spiritual parents of Australia.  After 
> "Mother" Dunn returned from a lone pilgrimage to the Holy Land, 
> "Father" was elected a member of the first National Spiritual Assembly of 
> 
> the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand in 1934.  After his passing on 
> February 17th, 1941, "Mother" Dunn's dedication to the Bahá'í Faith 
> continued unabated and in 1952 she was elevated to the station of Hand of 
> the Cause of God by Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith:  
> "Father" Dunn was subsequently elevated to the same station posthumously.
> 
> 
> Despite her advanced years, "Mother" Dunn returned to New Zealand 
> in 1957 as representative of the Guardian at the formation of the first 
> National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand.  In March, 
> 1958, at the request of the Guardian, she placed plaster from the Castle of 
> &Mah-Ku in the foundations of the Australasian Bahá'í House of Worship in 
> Sydney during the Australian Inter-Continental Conference.  Until her passing 
> to the Abhá Kingdom in 1960 at the age of 91 years, "Mother" Dunn 
> retained her memory of many Bahá'í prayers and was reciting these at the 
> time of her death.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 3.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   (Letter No. 2)  The Blundell family:  Mrs Sarah Blundell was born at 
> Burwell, Cambridgeshire, England in 1850, a year sacred in Bahá'í history 
> as that of the Báb's martyrdom, and was destined to become one of the 
> pioneers of the Bahá'í Cause in New Zealand.  She received her early religious 
> training from her "Non-Conformist" father, a man whose strong 
> convictions led him to withdraw his seven year old daughter from religious 
> instruction classes at her boarding school.  The feeling of isolation which 
> followed caused her to think for herself and she had the rare distinction of 
> being one of the first women to enter the Cambridge University Examinations 
> in an age prejudiced against the education of women.
> 
> 
> In 1886, with her husband and seven children, she arrived in New 
> Zealand where she endured hardship and difficulties in a strange country.  
> She persisted in her unfettered search for truth and rejected several dogmas 
> until, with an open mind and a prepared heart, she read in "The Christian 
> Commonwealth" of `Abdu'l-Bahá's visit to London in 1911 and sent overseas 
> for additional literature.  When Mr and Mrs Dunn arrived in Auckland 
> in 1922-3, Mrs Blundell invited them to her home, "Lymbury", Ridings 
> Road, Remuera to meet a group of twenty people whom she thought might 
> be interested.  This was the first Bahá'í meeting held in New Zealand and 
> shortly afterwards Mrs Blundell accepted the Bahá'í Faith.
> 
> 
> On hearing from Martha Root that Shoghi Effendi and the Ladies of 
> the Household were eager to welcome the New Zealand friends, Sarah 
> Blundell arranged to make the journey to the Holy Land in 1925 visit the 
> Holy Family, and the Shrines of the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and `Abdu'l-Bahá, 
> and to meet in person many other Bahá'ís--this was "a crowning gift to 
> one whose spiritual path had been travelled alone."["The Bahá'í World, Vol. VI, 1934-1936", pp. 496-498. Bahá'í Publishing Committee, New York, 1937]  She returned to New 
> Zealand after first going home to England to see her relatives and, at the 
> Guardian's suggestion, make personal contact with the English Bahá'í 
> community.  She continued to work unsparingly in New Zealand to serve 
> the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh until her passing at the age of eighty-four years on 
> December 20th, 1934.
> 
> 
> One of her daughters, Ethel Blundell who accepted the Bahá'í Faith 
> in 1925, was a delegate to the first Bahá'í Convention and was elected as a 
> member of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia 
> and New Zealand in May, 1934.
> 
> 
> Mrs Blundell's son, Hugh, was also destined to serve the Bahá'í 
> Cause.  Although not at that time a Bahá'í, Hugh accompanied his mother 
> and sister on their pilgrimage to Haifa in 1925 and accepted the Faith the 
> following year.  A tireless worker for the Cause, he was New Zealand's first 
> Auxiliary Board Member and passed to the Abhá Kingdom on October 
> 16th, 1976 in his ninety-second year.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 4.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   (Letter No. 2)  Effie Baker became disenchanted with the Church 
> and, having an open and enquiring attitude, was one of a committee formed 
> in Melbourne responsible for arranging speakers to address the "New 
> Thought" organisation.  This led her to attend a public meeting at which 
> Hyde Dunn spoke on the Bahá'í Faith and, recognising the truth of the 
> Message, Effie Baker accepted the Faith the same evening and so became 
> the first woman believer in Australia.  She accompanied Martha Root on the 
> latter's lecture tour of New Zealand and, learning of the New Zealand 
> Bahá'ís projected journey to the Holy Land in 1925, Effie sold her home 
> and joined the pilgrims.
> 
> 
> After the bounty of visiting the Shrines and meeting with the 
> Guardian and the Greatest Holy Leaf, Effie acceded to Shoghi Effendi's 
> request and accompanied the New Zealand friends to London so as to contact 
> the British Bahá'í community.  She planned to return to Australia and 
> assist the Dunns, and had accepted an invitation from the Ladies of the 
> Holy Family to stop over in Haifa on her homeward journey, but on arriving 
> there in June, she found Shoghi Effendi was away from the Holy Land 
> and so decided to wait until he returned.  Her offer to serve was accepted 
> and she remained at the World Centre of the Bahá'í Faith in Israel for the 
> next eleven years where she assumed the duties of hostess, welcoming the 
> friends to the Pilgrim House, using her artistry and talent to photograph 
> events in Haifa for the Guardian.  In 1930, when the need arose to secure 
> 
> photographs of places in Persia associated with the early history of the 
> Bahá'í Faith, Effie undertook arduous journeys by road through Syria and 
> Iraq, undeterred by danger from hostile bandits.  This intrepid worker now 
> embarked on an exacting and fruitful period of direct service to the Guardian, 
> often using cars supplied by the Persian believers, at times travelling 
> on horseback, mule or donkey to all but a few sites where it was too 
> dangerous for a westerner to venture.  The unique photographic record she 
> obtained was immortalised by being selected by the Guardian for inclusion 
> in Nabil's "The Dawnbreakers".
> 
> 
> In 1936, Effie returned to her homeland, Australia, where she 
> looked after the National Archives over a long period.  Her last years were 
> spent in a small flat in the Haziratu'l-Quds in Sydney at the invitation of 
> the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand who had been 
> requested by the Guardian to take care of her until her passing on January 
> 2nd, 1968.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 5.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   (Letter No. 15)  Mrs Amy Dewing and her son Bertram were 
> among New Zealand's earliest Bahá'ís; Mrs Dewing came from an orthodox 
> Church of England background and viewed with disapproval her 
> son's questioning attitude which led him to describe himself as a Rationalist.  
> They heard of and accepted the Truth of the Bahá'í Cause after 
> meeting with "Mother" and "Father" Dunn in Devonport, Auckland and, 
> in 1926, both of them served as members of the first Local Spiritual Assembly 
> in Auckland.  Amy Dewing, as one of a small and persevering 
> group of New Zealand believers, was active in spreading the Message as 
> was her son through whose efforts a Bahá'í magazine was published in 
> Australia and New Zealand to promote the teachings.  Prior to her passing 
> in 1957, Amy Dewing witnessed the emergence of the New Zealand community 
> as an independent entity.
> 
> 
> Having travelled extensively overseas, Bertram Dewing eventually 
> settled in Auckland.  A tireless worker for the Faith, he was a member of the 
> first Local Spiritual Assembly in Devonport in 1951 and in 1958 was 
> elected to the second National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New 
> Zealand.  He pioneered to Hokianga in the same year and a decade later assisted 
> in spreading the Faith to New Plymouth where he worked for the 
> Cause with unabated zeal until he passed to the Abhá Kingdom in 1972 at 
> the age of seventy.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 6.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   (Letter No. 16)  Dr Habib, whose older brother attained martyrdom, 
> was born in 1888 at Kermanshah, Persia and was given the name 
> Mu'ayyad (meaning `confirmed') by `Abdu'l-Bahá.  At the age of twenty-one, 
> when en route to Beirut to begin his medical studies at the American 
> University, he spent a month in the Holy Land with `Abdu'l-Bahá who took 
> a personal interest in his progress.  Thereafter he returned each summer to 
> serve the Cause, extending hospitality to visitors and pilgrims, recording 
> daily events, acquiring spiritual knowledge from outstanding Bahá'í 
> scholars and being entrusted with the receipt and dispatch of Tablets.  
> Referring to Habib's student days, `Abdu'l-Bahá extolled the young man's 
> influence, detachment and sanctity, saying "the fragrance of Beirut" perfumed 
> His nostrils.
> 
> 
> After graduating from the University of Beirut in 1914, Dr Habib 
> operated a dispensary at Abu-Sinan, a Druse village northeast of `Akká 
> where the Master had temporarily settled the Bahá'ís:  this period of close 
> contact with the Holy Family and daily lessons from `Abdu'l-Bahá he was 
> later to describe as the "most precious segment of his life".  In a Tablet to 
> Dr Habib's father, `Abdu'l-Bahá described this dedicated young Bahá'í as 
> "A lamp enkindled with the love of God".
> 
> 
> In 1915, responding to the Master's specific instructions, Dr Habib 
> returned to his birthplace to practice his profession and teach the Faith to 
> which he was so deeply devoted, and was for forty years a member of the 
> Local Spiritual Assembly of Kermanshah, also serving for a period on the 
> National Spiritual Assembly.  His published works include two volumes of 
> reminiscences based on the principles of the Covenant and the history of 
> the Cause, whilst his much loved poem entitled "Hold Thou my Hand, O 
> `Abdu'l-Bahá" is widely sung at gatherings of the Bahá'ís in Irán.  Dr 
> &Habib Mu'ayyad passed to the Abhá Kingdom on October 29th, 1971.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 7.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   (Letter No. 16)  The Moslem calendar dates from Muhammad's 
> emigration or Hijrah from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D.  The Moslem year 
> begins with the month of Muharram of which the first ten days are observed 
> by Shi'ah Moslems as part of their mourning period for the Imams.  The 
> tenth day is called Ashura and commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn, 
> the grand-son of Muhammad, who was cut down by thirty-three strokes of 
> swords and lances and decapitated:  his clothes were torn from him and his 
> naked body trampled by horses hooves.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 8.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   (Letter No. 23)  Mrs Emily Axford was born in Huddersfield, 
> England on October 19th, 1870 and was an infant teacher before her marriage.  
> In 1907, the family emigrated to New Zealand where her husband 
> practiced medicine in Te Aroha until his passing in 1912, after which Mrs 
> Axford moved to Auckland so as to educate her three children.  Having rejected 
> conventional Christianity, she was attracted by the New England 
> Transcendental Movement until she became aware of the Bahá'í Faith 
> through her friendship with Sarah Blundell and was enrolled as a member 
> in 1923.  Three years later, Mrs Axford was elected Chairman of the first 
> Local Spiritual Assembly in Auckland and for many years conducted 
> classes in public speaking to help the friends overcome their shyness and 
> reticence so that they might teach the Faith effectively.  Emily was one of 
> three New Zealand delegates who attended the National Convention held 
> in Sydney during 1934 and the following year was elected to the National 
> Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand.  She continued 
> to work staunchly for the Faith, being appointed in 1946 to the Regional 
> Teaching Committee responsible for formulating teaching plans 
> throughout New Zealand.  The following year, she assumed the delicate 
> task of conducting negotiations with the immigration authorities so that 
> Bahá'ís from Persia might be permitted to enter New Zealand as University 
> students, and was actively engaged in this work up to the time of her passing 
> on December 26th, 1949.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 9.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   (Letter No. 33)  Born in 1900, Miss Kitty Carpenter became a 
> Bahá'í in 1936 since when many members of the Carpenter-Hancock family 
> of which she is a member have followed her and joined the Faith.  An 
> adventurous and enquiring soul, she undertook her first pilgrimage to 
> Haifa in 1938, arriving there shortly after the marriage of Shoghi Effendi 
> and, after living for two years in Australia, she returned to New Zealand 
> where she embarked on a life of service to the Cause.  Towards the end of 
> the Second World War, she willingly made available her premises (a 
> counter lunch-shop) in Anzac Avenue as a venue for the Auckland Bahá'í 
> community and, in the 1950's, responded to the call by travel teaching in 
> Mangakino and Whangarei.  She served on the National Spiritual Assembly 
> of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand during 1958 and, two years later, moved 
> from Christchurch to Hamilton to aid in establishing an assembly there.  
> 1964 saw her travel teaching in Invercargill and the following year she was 
> appointed to the National Teaching Committee.  Responding to the need for 
> the believers to establish another assembly, Kitty finally made her home in 
> Tauranga where she is an active and much loved exponent of the Cause.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 10.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   (Letter No. 37)  This refers to a book on Islam written by Bertram 
> Dewing which was never published.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Appendix - Addresses
> 
> 
> Letters addressed to individuals by letter number.  Only letters presented in 
> their entirety are indicated.
> 
> 1.  Margaret Stevenson
> 2.  Sarah Blundell
> 3.  Margaret Stevenson
> 4.  Bertram Dewing
> 5.  Margaret Stevenson
> 6.  Margaret Stevenson
> 7.  Bertram Dewing
> 8.  Margaret Stevenson
> 9.  Sarah Blundell
> 10.  Sarah Blundell
> 11.  Margaret Stevenson
> 12.  Evelyn Watkin
> 13.  Bertram Dewing
> 14.  Sarah Blundell
> 15.  Amy Dewing
> 16.  Amy Dewing
> 17.  Evelyn Watkin
> 18.  Margaret Stevenson
> 19.  ...[Unable to identify. Department of the Secretariat, Universal House of Justice, August, 1979]
> 20.  Bertram Dewing
> 21.  Amy Dewing
> 22.  Amy Dewing
> 23.  Emily Axford
> 24.  Eleanor Leighton
> 25.  Bertram Dewing
> 26.  Ethel Blundell
> 27.  Amy Dewing 
> 28.  Ethel Blundell
> 29.  Emily Axford
> 30.  Emily Axford
> 31.  Emily Axford
> 32.  Emily Axford
> 33.  Kitty Carpenter
> 34.  Emily Axford
> 35.  Emily Axford
> 36.  Emily Axford
> 37.  Bertram Dewing
> 38.  Kitty Carpenter
> 39.  Bertram Dewing
> 40.  Kitty Carpenter
> 41.  Kitty Carpenter
> 42.  E. Axford, Auckland Bahá'í Group 
> 43.  E. Axford, Chairman, Auckland Spiritual Assembly 
> 44.  M. Stevenson, Secretary, Auckland Spiritual Assembly 
> 45.  National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand 
> 46.  National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand
> 47.  H. M. Brooks, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand 
> 48.  H. M. Brooks, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand 
> 49.  H. M. Brooks, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand
> 50.  H. M. Brooks, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand 
> 51.  Auckland Spiritual Assembly 
> 52.  National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand 
> 53.  Auckland Spiritual Assembly 
> 54.  National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand
> 55.  D. Dive, Secretary, Auckland Spiritual Assembly 
> 56.  Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Auckland, New Zealand 
> 57.  National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand
> 58.  E. B. Dewing, Secretary, Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Auckland, New Zealand
> 59.  M. G. Bolton, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand
> 60.  J. Heggie, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand
> 61.  J. Heggie, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand 
> 62.  J. Heggie, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand 
> 63.  Secretary, Regional Teaching Committee for New Zealand 
> 64.  The Guardian's message to the first Bahá'í Convention in New Zealand, sent to Mrs Clara Dunn; she was asked to read it on behalf of the Guardian at the Convention and then give it to the New Zealand National Spiritual Assembly
> 65.  Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand
> 66.  Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand 
> 67.  N. P. L. Walker, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia 
> 68.  Secretary, Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the City of Auckland 
> 69.  National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand
>
> — *Arohanui: Letters to New Zealand (Used by permission of the curator)*