It is always good also to emphasize, whenever we have such
an opportunity, that the Baha'is constitute the largest minority in
Persia. 
As there were no followers of the Bab or Baha'u'llah derived
from the religions of the Far East in Their days, this may be the reason that
They did not address any Tablets directly to these people. Also we must
remember that every religion springs from some root, and just as Christianity
sprang from Judaism, our own religion sprang from Islam, and that is why so
many of the teachings deduce their proofs from Islam.
...the young Bahá'ís in every city should make a point of
keeping in touch with local youth activities and clubs, and endeavouring to
make their views known to as many young people in as many ways as possible.
Above all they should set a high example to them; chastity, politeness,
friendliness, hospitality, joyous optimism about the ultimate future happiness
and well-being of mankind, should distinguish them and win over to them the
love and admiration of their fellow youth. The thing which is most
conspicuously lacking in modern life is a high standard of conduct and good
character; the young Bahá'ís must demonstrate both, if they hope to seriously
win over to the Faith members of their own generation, so sorely disillusioned
and so contaminated by the laxity war gives rise to.
We wish to share with you the text of the following
resolution: After prayerful and careful study of the Holy Texts bearing upon
the question of the appointment of the successor to Shoghi Effendi as Guardian
of the Cause of God, and after prolonged consideration of the views of the
Hands of the Cause of God residing in the Holy Land, the Universal House of
Justice finds that there is no way to appoint or to legislate to make it
possible to appoint a second Guardian to succeed Shoghi Effendi.
The eyes of the Bahá’í world are expectantly turned towards
this newly erected pillar [NSA of Canada], designed to sustain in conjunction
with other National Assemblies the weight of the Supreme Legislative Body of
the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. Sister communities in both the East and the
West, less privileged than it and deprived of the primacy with which the twin
Bahá’í national communities labouring in the North American continent have been
invested by the unerring Pen of the Centre of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant, yet able
to achieve, under circumstances no less challenging, a success wholly out of
proportion to their numbers, are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this initial
crusade embarked upon by this blessed, this envied community in conformity with
the Mandate issued by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His immortal Tablets. He Himself Who
nourished and watched over it with such loving care from the earliest days of
its inception, Who, in unmistakable language and on more than one occasion,
foreshadowed its glorious future, both materially and spiritually, is from His
station on high, gazing down upon the youthful efforts exerted by a community
so dear to His heart, so newly launched upon a course which He Himself has
charted.
In addition to the Temple [in Ishqabad] itself, two schools,
one for boys and one for girls, and a pilgrim house were built. The local
community, and the activities of the friends throughout the provinces of
Turkistan expanded and developed in stature until 1928, when the law
expropriating religious edifices was applied to this Temple. However, under the terms of two five-year
leases, the Baha'i community was permitted to continue to use the building as a
house of worship. In 1938 the Temple was
completely expropriated and converted into an art gallery.
When it is proposed to put a matter to the vote, a member of
the Assembly may feel that there are additional facts or views which must be
sought before he can make up his mind and intelligently vote on the proposition.
He should express this feeling to the Assembly, and it is for the Assembly to
decide whether or not further consultation is needed before voting.
A survey of the letters written on behalf of the Guardian
shows that he advised the National Spiritual Assemblies that they should resort
to the severe sanction of deprivation of a believer's administrative rights only
for such matters as `disgraceful conduct, flagrantly contrary to our
Teachings', `seriously injuring the Faith in the eyes of the public through his
conduct or flagrantly breaking the laws of God', `gross immorality and open
opposition to the administrative functions of the Faith, and disregard for the
laws of personal status', `conduct which is disgracing the Cause', and
`breaking of laws, such as the consent of parents to marriage', or `acts of
such an immoral character as to damage the good name of the Faith'.
This New World Order, whose promise is enshrined in the
Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, whose fundamental principles have been enunciated in
the writings of the Center of His Covenant, involves no less than the complete
unification of the entire human race. This unification should conform to such
principles as would directly harmonize with the spirit that animates, and the
laws that govern the operation of, the institutions that already constitute the
structural basis of the Administrative Order of His Faith.
Your understanding that the portrayal of the Báb and
Bahá'u'lláh in works of art is forbidden is correct. The Guardian made it clear
that this prohibition refers to all the Manifestations of God; photographs, or
reproductions of portraits, of the Master may be used in books, but no attempt
should be made to portray Him in dramatic or other works where He would be one of
the "dramatis personae". However, there can be no objection to
symbolic representation of such Holy Figures, provided it does not become a
ritual and that the symbol used is not irreverent.
Music is one of the arts, and the Prophets of God do not
teach the arts; but the tremendous cultural impetus which religion gives to
society gradually produces new and wonderful forms of art. We see this in the
different styles of architecture and painting associated with the Christian,
Muhammadan, Buddhist and other civilizations. Music, too, has grown up as an expression
of the people.
Among the greatest of all great services is the education of
children, and promotion of the various sciences, crafts and arts. Praised be
God, ye are now exerting strenuous efforts toward this end. The more ye
persevere in this most important task, the more will ye witness the
confirmations of God, to such a degree that ye yourselves will be astonished.
I am according to the explicit texts of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas
and the Kitáb-i-‘Ahd the manifest Interpreter of the Word of God... Whoso
deviates from my interpretation is a victim of his own fancy.
Obsessed by the bitter tragedy of the martyrdom of his
beloved Master [The Báb], driven by a frenzy of despair to avenge that odious
deed, and believing the author and instigator of that crime to be none other
than the Sháh himself, a certain Sádiq-i-Tabrízí, an assistant in a
confectioner’s shop in Tihrán, proceeded on an August day (August 15, 1852),
together with his accomplice, an equally obscure youth named Fathu’lláh-i-Qumí,
to Níyávarán where the imperial army had encamped and the sovereign was in
residence, and there, waiting by the roadside, in the guise of an innocent
bystander, fired a round of shot from his pistol at the Sháh, shortly after the
latter had emerged on horseback from the palace grounds for his morning
promenade. The weapon the assailant employed demonstrated beyond the shadow of
a doubt the folly of that half-demented youth, and clearly indicated that no
man of sound judgment could have possibly instigated so senseless an act.
There are certain teachings arid exhortations the observance
of which is solely between the individual and God; the non-observance of other
laws and ordinances incurs some form of sanction. Some of these violations
incur punishment for a single offence, while others are punished only after
repeated warnings have failed to remedy the violation. It is not possible to
establish a single rule applicable automatically and invariably. Every case is
different, and there is more than one variable consideration to take into
account, for example, the circumstances of the individual, the degree to which
the good name of the Faith is involved, whether the offence is blatant and
flagrant. Over and over again the beloved Guardian urged Assemblies to be
extremely patient and forbearing in dealing with the friends.
Such in their broad outline are the guiding principles which
those who have been placed in charge of the administration of the affairs of
the Cause should at present endeavour to promote, explain and securely
establish. Nothing short of the spirit of unwavering faith, of continuous
vigilance and patient endeavour can hope to secure eventually the realization
of this our cherished desire.
…the entire Canadian Community will have to rise to a new
level of activity, consciousness, and sacrifice, just as did the British Bahá’í
Community during their Six Year Plan. Their success is perhaps one of the most
remarkable ever achieved in the Bahá’í world because they were few in number,
run down in health from the long years of suffering during the war, and poor in
financial resources. Their determination, dedication and moral stamina,
however, carried them through, and Bahá’u’lláh gave them the victory. He will
give the same victory to everyone who shows the same characteristics. Success
breeds success, and this same Community, now rightfully proud and conscious of
its importance, is carrying on its African work in a brilliant manner. The
Canadian Bahá’ís, more prosperous, less restricted, and equally capable, can
accomplish just as much if they unitedly determine to do so.
The House of Justice has not prescribed any set forms to be
adopted in a Holy Shrine, whether it be in prayer, meditation or reading of the
Holy Scriptures, as long as the practices followed do not disturb the devotions
of others who are in the Shrine. It does not favour the adoption of the
practice of songs being sung with musical accompaniment in close proximity to
the Shrines. As you can well understand, such singing could well disturb those
who, within the Shrines, are engaged in their devotions.
He was very sorry to hear that you and your husband are
still so unhappy together. It is always a source of sorrow in life when married
people cannot get on well together, but the Guardian feels that you and your
husband, in contemplating divorce, should think of the future of your children
and how this major step on your part will influence their lives and happiness.