Letter of 25 March 1956

Shoghi +P254 25 March 1956 Dear &Baha'i Friends:

Referring to your loving letter of March 19th with regard to the designs for the Temple in Frankfurt:

The designs of the second competition were duly received by the beloved Guardian. He is now giving them very active consideration. As soon as some decision is reached, I will be glad to communicate with you at once.

The members of the International Council greatly appreciate your warm &Naw-Ruz greetings, which they reciprocate most heartily. We will pray at the Shrines that every success will attend your efforts; and that the most important subject of the Temple grounds and Temple land will be satisfactorily settled in the very near future.... 6 April 1956 Dear &Baha'i Friends:

Enclosed is the beloved Guardian's message to all &Baha'i Conventions. He would like you to please share it with the delegates and friends attending your National Convention.

He hopes it will stimulate the teaching work, and particularly the pioneer work.... 7 April 1956 Dear &Baha'i Sister:

Your loving letter of March 28th was duly received, carrying with it the strong spirit which animates the friends in Germany. +P255

The answers to the questions which you raised in your letter are as follows:

The Guardian advises that he will leave to your discretion, just how the $1,000 which is available in America is to be used, in connection with the Endowment. In other words, you may purchase another piece of land for the $1,000; may apply it to repair of existing holdings, other than the &Hazira, such as the House in Esslingen--or put it in the Temple Fund.

1. The goals of the Ten Year Crusade include the purchase of an endowment for Germany. By referring to page 72 of the British Statistical Book, issued at the beginning of the Ten Year Crusade, you will note, that Germany is listed as requiring an endowment. I think the Assembly should correspond with the American National Spiritual Assembly, so that the One Thousand Dollars which Mrs. Collins has made available may be sent to you.

2. The beloved Guardian advises that he has ... on his list of those who wish to make the pilgrimage. As soon as it is possible for them to come, he will inform them. You might explain to these dear friends that there are a great many Persian &Baha'is who wish to make the pilgrimage; and the Guardian feels he must invite them on the basis of the date of their application. In other words, those who asked for permission first would be the first to be invited to make the pilgrimage.

3. I did not present to the Guardian the question of new &Baha'is in Greece being allowed to remain in their church after they become &Baha'is, because I knew there was no such situation existing. The Guardian does not wish to be asked to make rulings on situations which might develop. He has already enunciated very clearly the principle that when people become &Baha'is, they should, if not immediately, +P256 then within a short time, leave the church. If there is any exception to be made to these rules, it would be on specific instances, and on specific application of a national assembly.

When the pioneers in Greece have any individuals ready to become &Baha'is, and then if the church question is a deterring factor, perhaps at that time your Assembly will wish to take the matter up with the Guardian. I am sure he would not want to issue a ruling on a possible future case.

If this handling is not satisfactory to your Assembly, and you wish me to present the matter to the Guardian, in that event let me know and I will do so.

4. I hope some arrangement is worked out to handle the publication of Russian literature. It will be of advantage at this time for local teaching and therefore what can--should certainly be prepared. I did inform Mrs. Sommerau that I would see that her pamphlet was financed, and I have had some correspondence with her and Marion Little concerning the matter. As developments occur, I will be glad to let you know....

The Guardian sends his loving Greetings to the members of the N.S.A. 27 April 1956 Dear &Baha'i Friends:

The Beloved Guardian has been giving very serious consideration to the model for the Temple to be built in Frankfurt.

He feels that the design No. 102-A, prepared by Architect Teuto Rocholl, is susceptible of development into the type of building which we wish. +P257

The Guardian asks that you consult with the architect, asking him to submit a few modifications of the plan, simply in a rough pencil sketch, incorporating the following adjustments:

1. A third story should be provided without of course increasing the size of the building.

2. The building must be 9-sided instead of round.

3. A lantern should be placed on the top of the dome.

4. The dome should be more gracefully shaped, with a little more peak to the top.

5. It might be that some windows could be placed at the base of the dome, so as to give the impression of a clerestory.

The architect himself may have some other modifications that may occur to him as he sets up plans.

If you could have this matter handled as quickly as possible, the Guardian would be very appreciative. Time is running along very rapidly, and if an early start is not made on the building, it may be difficult to finish it during the Ten Year Plan.

The Guardian sends you his loving greetings.... 19 May 1956 Dear &Baha'i Sister:

Referring to your letter of May 5th, with regard to the model of the Temple. I cabled you May 14th, that the Guardian had not approved any design for the Temple. He simply felt that there was possibility of the design of Architect Rocholl, No. 102-A being developed into a suitable design. He has not been satisfied with the submissions, but when the revisions are sent by Mr. +P258 Rocholl, he will then reappraise all of them to see if any can be given further consideration.

Please refer to my letter of November 23, 1955, item 6, in which it is stated the Guardian felt "the cost should run about $300,000 or a little more; certainly on the outside, not more than $400,000." The Guardian has directed me to advise you, that he now feels the maximum which should be spent on the construction, is $300,000 and no more.... 19 May 1956 Dear &Baha'i Friends:

Your loving letter of May 13th, has come to hand, and I am hastening to answer, particularly that portion dealing with the translations in Russian:

Mrs. ... was raised in Russia; at least in the early part of her life. She fled with others during the Revolution. Thus her knowledge of Russian should be excellent.

She has recently become a &Baha'i, in Lausanne.

In Lausanne, another woman has become a &Baha'i, who is Russian, and is an excellent linguist. I understand in any translating now being done, she is being consulted.

It is my thought that your Assembly should correspond with the Italo Swiss NSA, so as to set up some method of handling Russian translations and printing. As you know, ..., in Geneva, is Russian, and likewise a good translator. If your two NSA's set up a General Translating Committee, I am sure great results would be achieved.

I am sending Mrs. ..., some views of the Shrines and Gardens, which I hope will give her happiness.... +P259 19 May 1956 Dear Friends:

The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you concerning the court case relating to the Temple Land near Eschborn.

You have asked if the decision of the Court should be adverse, if you should appeal the case to a higher court.

The Guardian feels that if the decision of the Court is adverse, then you should not appeal the case, but should at once look for another site for the Temple.

Time is rapidly passing, and no further time should be lost in trying the case. You should find another piece of land, so work on the Temple may start. The Guardian is fearful, if there are further delays, either in the question of land, or the question of Model, the time will have so flown, that the Temple in Germany will not be built during the Ten Year Crusade.

He assures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends his loving Greetings to all the members of the Assembly.... 5 June 1956 Dear &Baha'i Friends:

Your letter of April 19th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He is very happy that Vienna now has its own &Haziratu'l-Quds, which will become the National Headquarters of the Austrian National Spiritual Assembly when formed.

This important step forward is bound to reflect itself in the teaching work, and attract many new souls to the Faith. +P260

The establishment of the other Centers in Austria during the past year has been most encouraging, and he hopes that by Spring of next year there will be a number of flourishing Spiritual Assemblies.

He will pray for you all and for the success of the work in Vienna....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty, Whose Cause you serve so devotedly, reward you abundantly for your labours, remove all obstacles from your path, and enable you to win great victories in the days to come,

Your true brother,