Part 20 (2/2)

TO NATIONAL SPIRITUAL a.s.sEMBLIES

To the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of North East Asia-1957

[Cable dated May 2, 1957]

The Guardian's first cable to the new National Spiritual a.s.sembly: Fervently supplicating befitting discharge sacred manifold responsibilities. Deepest love,

Shoghi

(cable dated May 2, 1957)

[Letter of May 20, 1957]

Our beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you on his behalf and inform you that the Hand of the Cause Mr. Varqa, will shortly be forwarding to your a.s.sembly 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 pa.s.sing through.

You may be sure he will pray for your success. (signed by R. Rabbani)

(May 20, 1957)

[Letter of July 15, 1957]

He (the Guardian) has read with much interest the reports of the Convention recently held in Tokyo.

The formation of this new Regional a.s.sembly, whose area of operation is so vast and situated in such an important part of the globe, has been a source of great joy to the Guardian. He was also very happy to see that your a.s.sembly has represented on it members of the three great races of mankind, a living demonstration of the fundamental teaching of our Holy Faith, and one which cannot but attract the interest of the public. The fact that so many believers attended the first historic convention, from practically all the territories your a.s.sembly represents, was also most encouraging, and augurs well for your future work.

The work, so faithfully carried on, by both the American and Persian pioneers, has borne its first fruit. The long and loyal service of dear Agnes Alexander, who so faithfully carried out the beloved Master's wishes and served the spiritual interests of j.a.pan for decades, has been richly crowned. Even the death of the devoted pioneer, Mr. Anthony Seto, has added a blessing to the work in that region, for he served in spite of failing health and remained at his post to be laid at rest in a distant land, his very dust testifying to the greatness of the love and the nature of the ideals Baha'u'llah inspires in His servants(31) .

It has been a great source of joy to the Guardian to see the marked increase of native Baha'is throughout that area, particularly in j.a.pan, Korea and Formosa. However devoted the pioneers may be to these distant countries of their adoption, their relation to them cannot but be a transient one, especially in view of the disturbed state of the world and gloomy clouds that hang over its political horizons. They may suddenly be forced to go home; therefore, the native Baha'is, in particular, must seize this opportunity and arise too, themselves, in their own countries, pioneer to new cities and towns, new islands and as yet unopened territories, so that they may, with the help of their Baha'i brethren from overseas, lay a firm and enduring foundation, and commence the great task of building up the Administrative Order, which is itself the foundation of the future World Order.

Special attention must be given during this crucial year to consolidating the precious goals already won, to creating new Spiritual a.s.semblies, to increasing the groups and the isolated centers.

Your a.s.sembly must be very careful not to overload the Baha'is with rules and regulations, circulars and directions. The purpose of the administration at this time is to blow on the fire newly kindled in the hearts of these people who have accepted the Faith, to create in them the desire and capacity to teach, to facilitate the pioneer and teaching work, and help deepen the knowledge and understanding of the friends. The beloved Guardian issues this word of warning, as long experience has shown that it is a tendency on the part of all N.S.A.s to over-administer. In their enthusiasm they forget that they only have a handful of inexperienced souls to guide, and attempt to deal with their work as if they had a large population to regulate! This then stifles the spirit of the friends and the teaching work suffers.

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