April 30, 2011

Fujita -- the “devoted brother”

Our devoted brother, Mr. Fujita, is well and happy in the Holy Land, and together with the Ladies of the Household and myself is engaged in the service of the various pilgrims that visit in these days this sacred Spot. He is faithfully and actively carrying on the work which he has started so whole-heartedly during the Master's last years on earth. (Shoghi Effendi, excerpt from a letter to the Baha’is in Japan, dated May 10, 1923, ‘Japan Will Turn Ablaze’) (To read the entire letter please visit Messages to the Baha’i World)

April 29, 2011

May Maxwell: the pioneer of the Cause in Canada

Our beloved Baha’i sister, Mrs. May Maxwell, the pioneer of the Cause in Canada, will soon be with us in the Holy Land, and I trust that after her visit to the Three Holy Shrines, she may be enabled to return, invigorated and refreshed, ready to continue, in collaboration with you all, the mission which the Master has destined her to fulfill in this world. (Shoghi Effendi, excerpt from a letter dated April 20, 1923 addressed to the Baha’is of Canada; ‘Messages to Canada’, pp. 9-10) (To read the entire letter please visit Messages to the Baha’i World)

April 18, 2011

Spiritual qualities to strive for and be cognizant of while serving the Cause

It behoves us, now that the signs of that glorious and promised Day are fast appearing, to arise, with utter selflessness, unity and determination, to promote and consolidate the Work which He has Himself established in the heart of that vast Dominion, and prove ourselves, by our wisdom, moderation, and constancy, worthy of the many bestowals He has showered upon us in the past. If we but follow in His Way, regard at all times the dignity of the Cause, guard sedulously its unity and vital principles, and exercise the utmost endeavour to keep its Spirit pure, effective, and unobscured, then, and only then, can we hope to achieve the immediate spread and triumph of the Cause. (Shoghi Effendi, excerpt from a letter dated April 20, 1923 addressed to the Baha’is of Canada; ‘Messages to Canada’, pp. 9-10) (To read the entire letter please visit Messages to the Baha’i World)

April 15, 2011

Promises of ‘Abdu’l-Baha concerning the future of Canada

I was deeply interested and immensely grateful to read the newly received messages and letters from that distant land, all testifying to the growth of a new spirit of enthusiasm and fellowship recently kindled in the hearts of those few, yet earnest, workers for the Cause of Baha’u’llah. The report sent to me recently by the Secretary of the Montreal Spiritual Assembly, as well as the letters which our beloved spiritual sister, Mrs. Scbopflocherber, has received from America, all gave me the assurance that a new era of spiritual activity is dawning upon the people of that land. May the repeated promises of 'Abdu'l-Baha regarding the ultimate religious revival of that spiritually conservative country, and the universal and whole-hearted response of its people to the Call of Ya'-Baha’u’l-Abha' be speedily fulfilled. (Shoghi Effendi, excerpt from a letter dated April 20, 1923 addressed to the Baha’is of Canada; ‘Messages to Canada’, pp. 9-10) (To read the entire letter please visit Messages to the Baha’i World)

April 14, 2011

The “great work of Reconciliation of which the world stands in such great need at present” – attitude and mindset required by believers

Clear in our vision, broad in our outlook, tireless in our energies and steadfast in our hopes, let us promote one and all this great work of Reconciliation of which the world stands in such great need at present. May the Light of His Divine Guidance illumine our path and lead us to our glorious destiny. (Shoghi Effendi, excerpt from a letter dated March 1923 to the Baha’of  Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S.A; The Star of the West, Vol. 14, April, 1923) (To see the entire letter please visit Messages to the Baha’i World)

April 13, 2011

Ways in which we can help “the seeds of the words of Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha” that were “cast so profusely” many years ago to germinate and give fruit

Our primary duty is to create by our words and deeds, our conduct and example, the atmosphere in which the seeds of the words of Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha, cast so profusely during well-nigh eighty years, may germinate and give forth those fruits that alone can assure peace and prosperity to this distracted world. (Shoghi Effendi, excerpt from a letter dated March 1923 to the Baha’of  Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S.A; The Star of the West, Vol. 14, April, 1923) (To read the entire letter please visit Messages to the Baha’i World)

April 12, 2011

The “power of the Call of Ya Baha’u’l-Abha” can “bind effectively together the scattered and conflicting elements of human society”

In these days of world unrest, of political upheavals, of social disruption and spiritual ferment, the one Power that can bind effectively together the scattered and conflicting elements of human society and breathe into them the vivifying and eternal Spirit of Life is indeed the power of the Call of Ya Baha’u’l-Abha.

We, of this noble Faith, the chosen ones of God, who carry with us this wholesome Medicine for the ills and sicknesses of this world, must now bestir ourselves to further activity and relentless efforts in the great and urgent mission entrusted to us by Baha’u’llah, that we may minister freely and effectively to the needs of mankind. (Shoghi Effendi, excerpt from a letter dated March 1923 to the Baha’of  Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S.A; The Star of the West, Vol. 14, April, 1923) (To read the entire letter please visit Messages to the Baha’i World)