The accomplishments of the believers of India, in virgin fields and in furtherance of the interests of the Six-Year Plan, merit the highest praise. Prompted by their achievements, and as a token of my keen appreciation of their notable services, and in order to facilitate further expansion and consolidation of their teaching activities, I have forwarded to you a contribution which I trust will serve as a nucleus for a Fund designed to promote the vital and urgent interests of the nation-wide teaching enterprise in which you have embarked, and which constitutes the greatest single organized undertaking launched in the service of Baha'u'llah in that country. Perseverance, coupled with a spirit of complete dedication to the cause of teaching, will, I feel confident, ensure the triumphant conclusion of your labours. I will continue to pray for you from the depths of my heart. Redouble your efforts and be confident.
July 29, 1942
Proper Administrative Headquarters
Concerning his recent cable to the National Spiritual Assembly: The Guardian feels that, if feasible, it is highly desirable and necessary that the rapidly growing and strengthening Indian Baha'i Community should have a proper administrative Headquarters, situated in the capital-Delhi-and suitable for the next few years at least. He wishes the N.S.A. to find a building or house which will suit their requirements in every way, and inform him at once of the price required. He considers that it is premature at present to think of purchasing a site for a future Baha'i Temple. The thing for the friends to concentrate on at present is the Haziratu'l-Quds.
He has been greatly encouraged of late to witness the marked increase of activity shown by the Baha'i Communities everywhere in India. They are demonstrating their right to a place in the foremost ranks of the Baha'i World, and he is very pleased with them and eager that they should forge ahead in every field of Baha'i life.
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty graciously assist the Indian believers to establish, at the close of the first Baha'i Century, their administrative headquarters in the capital city of India, and thus befittingly crown their meritorious teaching activities.
January 28, 1943
Passing Away of Mr. Vakil
He was very sad to hear of the passing of our dear and esteemed brother, Mr. Vakil. His loss will be much felt by the Indian believers, and the many services he rendered the Cause will never be forgotten. It is too bad that he was denied the burial he himself longed for, but no doubt his spirit is now rejoicing in the Abha Kingdom after its long and faithful labours in this world.
Secretary of the N.S.A.
Regarding your question concerning the Secretary of the N.S.A.: There cannot be any permanently elected Secretary who would year after year hold office, as this would be contrary to the principles of the administration; however, the Guardian feels that the N.S.A. should supply the Secretary with a paid helper in order to enable him to carry on his duties properly and at the same time pursue his own profession, if that is necessary for him. In other words the Secretary of the N.S.A. can have a full-time secretary under him if the work requires it.
Election of L.S.A.'s
The Guardian has notified the friends in other countries that, in view of the fact that this is the hundredth year of the Faith and we are going to celebrate our Centenary next May, Spiritual Assemblies may be constituted or elected anytime before next April, wherever there are 9 or more believers. He has done this in order to encourage the friends and stimulate the work everywhere. He would like you to impress this fact on the believers in India so that they may redouble their efforts and have a truly impressive number of Assemblies by next May.
National Administrative Headquarters
He is sorry to hear that you have not as yet been able to find a suitable house for the National administrative Headquarters. The establishment of this headquarters will greatly enhance the prestige of the Indian Baha'i Community and stimulate the growth and work of the Cause. He hopes you will soon meet with success, and cable him the glad news he is eagerly waiting to receive.
Baha'is Can Undertake Philanthropic Work
Mr. Mani Mehta forwarded to the Guardian a copy of the N.S.A.'s decision informing him that he must either give up his connection with the War Comforts Fund or his Baha'i administrative work. The Guardian feels that there is no objection to a Baha'i undertaking work of a philanthropic or humanitarian nature and at the same time being on elected Baha'i bodies or holding office in them. The War Comforts Fund is in no way contrary to our principles, and there can be no objection to Mr. Mehta's work in this connection. He hopes that the N.S.A. will clarify this matter and remove any misunderstandings that have arisen.
Centenary Celebrations
The friends in India are, after years of labour and devotion, beginning to find their number greatly increased, their assemblies multiplied, their Faith increasingly well-known to the public; they are about to initiate their first national headquarters, and in a few months will be celebrating the glorious occasion of the hundredth anniversary of their Faith. At such a critical time they should, one and all, devote their energies to achieving their objectives and impressing upon the public the nobility and beauty of their teachings, divinely inspired, and of such vast import to the entire world, and cast aside, once for all, any differences of opinion or personal viewpoints or prejudices that may hinder the success of their plans and cast a blight on the wonderful achievements they have carried out and are about to crown with still greater victories.
The Guardian feels that the N.S.A. must from now on coordinate its plans and set in motion its preparations for the Centenary Celebration. The believers must hold gatherings for the Baha'is at exactly 2 hours and 11 minutes after sunset on May 22nd, 1944 as this is the exact time when the Bab declared His Mission to Mulla Hussayn. They should also arrange to hold public gatherings on May 23rd and enlist the support of prominent friends of the Faith as speakers, together with Baha'i speakers, on that occasion. They should, as far as possible, hold festive gatherings at this time, give banquets at which friends of the Cause and believers are present, obtain as much space in the press of India as possible, and in general devise ways and means of making this a glorious and memorable celebration. He would also like to have the N.S.A. publish, in conjunction with the Centenary, a pamphlet giving a brief outline of the Faith's origin and teachings and major events in India, since its establishment there, and a detailed outline of the accomplishments of the Indian Baha'i Community, its early history, its development, etc.
He has been greatly encouraged by the progress made by the Indian Baha'i Community in recent years, and he longs to see them shine still brighter amidst its fellow communities the world over.
You may be sure that his loving prayers will be offered on your behalf and on behalf of all the other N.S.A. members, that you may speedily find a suitable Hazira, that the Cause may go on to still greater triumphs during this last year of the Century, and that the unity of the friends may be increased everywhere, as befits our Holy Faith.
[From the Guardian:]
The celebration of the Centenary of our glorious Faith by the friends in India should, under your direction, and with your encouragement and the assistance of individuals and local Assemblies throughout India, constitute a befitting conclusion to the magnificent labours and accomplishments that have marked your stewardship in the service of the Cause of Baha'u'llah in recent years. A special fund should be initiated, a strong committee should be set up, the utmost care should be taken, the most diligent efforts should be exerted and every sacrifice should be made to ensure the unqualified success of this great undertaking. I will pray for your success from the depths of my heart. There is no time to lose.
The Beloved will, no doubt, crown your exertions with signal victory if you arise and persevere.
June 22, 1943
Friends Should Unite
He was very pleased to hear that the Convention was so well attended, and the believers enthusiastic and united. One of the most paramount needs of the Cause in India is that the friends should unite, should become really keenly conscious of the fact that they are one spiritual family, held together by bonds more sacred and eternal than those physical ties which make people of the same family. If the friends will forget all personal differences and open their hearts to a great love for each other for the sake of Baha'u'llah, they will find that their powers are vastly increased; they will attract the heart of the public, and will witness a rapid growth of the Holy Faith in India. The N.S.A. should do all in its power to foster unity among the believers, and to educate them in the administration as this is the channel through which their community life must flow, and which, when properly understood and practised, will enable the work of the Cause to go ahead by leaps and bounds.
The excellent news you conveyed of the progress of the Faith in so many hitherto virgin territories of India greatly rejoiced the Guardian's heart, and he is proud to witness the manner in which the Indian believers are arising, teaching, and sacrificing for the Faith of God. The friends themselves must be astonished at the rapidity with which the devoted pioneers have succeeded in establishing new spiritual Assemblies; and he hopes that many more souls will, thrilled by these achievements, follow in their footsteps, and thus ensure a truly glorious celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the Cause next May. The eyes of the Baha'i world are being increasingly attracted by the achievements of the Indian friends, and they have the opportunity of crowning their Centenary celebrations with a victory outstanding in the records of the Baha'is of the East. The Guardian hopes that in this connection many more Baha'i young people will arise and serve. They have the advantages of health and freedom from family responsibilities which are not always enjoyed by older people, and they should cooperate to the full with more experienced believers in carrying on the pioneer work of the Cause.
He is most anxious that now that the National administrative Headquarters of the Faith has been successfully established-a tremendous step forward for the Faith there-you should give special attention to getting out the Esslemont book in three additional languages as soon as possible.
The Six-Year Plan Has Progressed Magnificently