This collaboration received a new impulse in December 1951 with the formation by the European Teaching Committee of a Teaching Committee for the Benelux, composed of Rita van Bleyswijk Sombeek and Theo Beets for the Netherlands, Leá Nijs and Louis Hénuzet for Belgium, and Suzette Hipp and Claude Lévy for Luxembourg. The tasks assigned to this committee were the organisation of an annual teaching conference and the exchange of public speakers, as well as the creation of publicity materials for public talks.

The first annual conference took place at the Brussels Bahá’í Centre from 11 to 14 April 1952. Each country presented a report of its efforts to create other local communities where already a centre or group of believers existed. In Belgium, such centres could be found in Antwerp, Ostend, Courtrai and Liège. However, it was decided, following the guidance of the European Teaching Committee, to concentrate on a single city. Antwerp was chosen.

A second conference was convened for 1 and 2 November 1952 in Antwerp at the “Hôtel de Londres”. This was the occasion for studying Shoghi Effendi’s message of 23 August 1952 announcing the formation of Regional Assemblies as a prelude to the formation of National Assemblies. And, of course, included among these Regional Assemblies was one for the Benelux. I can clearly remember the enthusiasm of the participants at that conference. Certainly our communities were still weak and numerically small, but we possessed the certitude that everything would consolidate in time to permit the election of this Regional Assembly by the planned deadline of April 1957.

From 1952 to 1957 cooperation between the three Benelux nations was intense. In 1954 the conference was held from 6 to 8 June near Arnhem in the Netherlands, and it was followed by a Summer School from 9 to 13 June. These enriching experiences were henceforth to be renewed every year in one or other of the three countries, most notably on the Belgian coast.

However, as the efforts so unconditionally expended for the formation of the other Local Assemblies were nevertheless unsuccessful, the four Local Assemblies elected in April 1956 (The Hague, Amsterdam, Brussels and Luxemburg) were finally deemed sufficient to form the Regional Assembly of the Benelux. The Regional Convention was held at the recently acquired National Bahá’í Centre at 54, Rue Stanley in Brussels, in the presence of Mr. Borrah Kavelin, representing the National Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States of America. Bob van Lith and Jan Sijsling from the Netherlands, Claude Lévy from Luxemburg, and Jean and Leá Nijs, Roger Swinnen, Fernand Radar, Elsa Dekoninck and Louis Hénuzet from Belgium were elected.

And this Regional Assembly of the Benelux would continue to guide the destiny of our three countries until the election of independent National Spiritual Assemblies in April 1962.

Messages

- 1 -

14 April 1932
To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Miss Wright: Shoghi Effendi wishes me to drop you these few lines to acknowledge the receipt of your cable asking his advice concerning your teaching tour. He believes that the most advisable thing is to concentrate upon northern Germany and Holland. He has already asked Miss Jack to stay in Sofia and Mr. Benke is going to join her. Mrs. Gregory and Martha are to devote most of their time to Central Europe especially Hungary, Austria and Poland. This makes Eastern and Central Europe well provided for. Shoghi Effendi therefore believes that you could render greater services if you visit the centers in Germany especially the northern part and also include Holland.

As far as we can learn through the correspondence we receive, the greatest amount and most lasting work has been achieved by those teachers who instead of covering much ground stay for at least a few weeks in the same city and try to confirm those whom they interest. Mere meeting the people and speaking to them about the general aspects of the Cause does not generally produce a lasting result. So if you chose some of the towns in Northern Germany and Holland and stay at least a few weeks in each place you could achieve more. Holland is a totally new country to the Cause so it will be true pioneer service. We do not know how receptive the people are but through the grace of God some real opening could be made.

We have only one Bahá’í there and his name is: Herr G.I. Bertelink, Hoogstraat 3, Enschede, Holland. Perhaps you could use his help; otherwise you will have to rely on your own resources and divine help. Anyhow Shoghi Effendi hopes you will succeed and create a new and prosperous center in Holland.

Assuring you of his prayers and best wishes I remain.
Yours ever sincerely,
Rúḥí Afnán

- 2 -

30 July 1932
To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Bahá’í Sister,
It was with a great sense of appreciation and joy that Shoghi Effendi received your letter of July 5th, 1932 which he read with deep care and interest, and he has directed me to address you these lines expressing his heartfelt thanks for your manifold services to our beloved Faith.

The detailed narrative of your most interesting experiences throughout your visits to the different European countries, the many contacts you made with both Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’í’s and especially with some distinguished University professors such as Dr. Fisher of the department of Oriental studies in the University of Leipzig, filled our Guardian’s heart with thanks and joy and confirmed his hopes for the future of your pioneering work in the many countries you visited.

I need not assure you how appreciative the Guardian is of all the precious efforts you are making for the spread of the Bahá’í teachings. He cherishes the brightest hopes for the future of your work. Your literary and intellectual power, your devotion and invincible faith as well as your perseverance and constancy, all these qualities of your heart and mind make you assuredly equal to the noble and most delicate task you have set yourself to achieve.

However meagre the immediate results of your efforts may be, however sceptical nay cynical the attitude of the public may seem to appear, you should always be confident that wherever you may go and to whomsoever you may speak the Hand of Divine Guidance is with you and will always lead you in the right path.

Shoghi Effendi will be always delighted to hear of your news and he wishes you to keep him in touch with your activities. And be assured that he will be always glad to give you any advice or help you may need. In his moments of meditation and prayer he will always remember you and ask the Almighty that He may cheer and comfort you and give you the necessary strength for the fulfilment of your most precious task. Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbání

Dear and valued co-worker:
Your message of sympathy cabled in connection with the passing of our beloved Khánum has touched me and relieved the burden of grief that weighs so heavily on my heart. Our loss is irreparable, our grief immense. The example of her saintly life will inspire us to follow in her footsteps. Your pioneer services in Holland are highly meritorious in the sight of God and I wish you to persevere in your noble task and not to allow either grief or the apathy of the people to deflect you from your high purpose.
Your true brother,
Shoghi

- 3 -

15 August 1932
To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Bahá’í co-worker,
Your letters dated July 19th and 25th, 1932 addressed to Shoghi Effendi were duly received and read with deep interest. He has directed me to address you these few lines expressing his warmest thanks and his lively appreciation of your kind words of condolence and sympathy in connection with the sudden passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf. Your beautiful and touching words greatly alleviated the burden of his sorrow and comforted his aching heart.

At this terrible hour, when hearts are filled with grief and minds are turned towards God imploring His grace, our Guardian’s sole comfort is to see you as ever active in the service of the Cause. In this great calamity which has affected all the friends both in East and West, his loss has been the greatest and the most cruel. But his heart is overflowing with thanks to God for the guidance and help which His blessings confer to all those who, scattered in every part of the globe, are striving to promote and consolidate the interests of the Faith.

He has, already, cabled to you regarding your teaching work in Holland and has urged you to concentrate on those few people who are truly interested in the teachings of the Cause and to make of them sincere Bahá’ís. It is no use delivering the Message to the public in a general way. You should strive to take hold of some persons who have a genuine interest in the Faith and to deepen their knowledge and make them ready for teaching.

Assuring you once more of Shoghi Effendi’s warmest thanks and of his continued prayers on your behalf.
Yours in His service,
H. Rabbání

Dear and precious co-worker:
Your services in Europe, and particularly in Holland, are deeply appreciated. I trust that through your constant efforts a center will be established in that country and will start to function vigorously and prove a prelude to still greater achievements in the future. I am urging Mrs. Greeven in Bremen to hasten the translation of Dr. Esslemont’s book into Dutch, as I feel it to be an essential preliminary to an intensive teaching campaign in that land. May the Beloved assist you to render memorable services and to establish His Faith in the hearts of its inhabitants.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

- 4 -

11 March 1933
To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Miss Wright:
Shoghi Effendi was very glad to receive your two letters dated September 30th, 1932 and February 19th, 1933 together with the enclosed.

As regards the election of new members on the National Assembly, Shoghi Effendi finds no other practical method that is in conformity with the spirit of the Teachings, except through better acquaintance of the friends during the annual convention and summer schools. It is the duty of the individual friends to come to know one another and find out who are the persons best fitted to become members of that body. This is a slow process but surely the best one and gives the greatest amount of freedom of choice to the electors. It is the duty of the friends individually to become more intelligent voters and vote only after studying the situation conscientiously.

As regards the chart representing creation, we should always remember that no matter how useful such charts may be for beginners, the real authority lies in the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh and the Master. They have to say the last word. It is by them that we should be guided, rather then by charts that help the beginners.

The Guardian was very glad to hear that you are contemplating a second visit to Holland. According to the reports we have received from Mrs. Greeven, Captain Liebau has completed the translation of Dr. Esslemonts book. Should it go immediately to the printers, as Shoghi Effendi hopes it will, it will be a source of great assistance to you.

In Eastern Europe the Cause is making wonderful head-way. We earnestly hope Northern Europe will do the same. They are very enlightened and should appreciate the importance of peace and a spiritual regeneration of man. In his moments of prayer at the blessed Shrines, the Guardian will think of you and Mrs. Nelson as well as the other friends in Boston and ask for you all divine guidance and help. Yours ever sincerely,
Rúḥí Afnán

Dear co-worker:
The problems which confront the believers at the present time, whether social, spiritual, economic or administrative will be gradually solved as the number and the resources of the friends multiply and their capacity for service and for the application of Bahá’í principles develops. They should be patient, confident and active in utilizing every possible opportunity that presents itself within the limits now necessarily imposed upon them. May the Almighty aid them to fulfil their highest hopes.
Your true brother,
Shoghi

- 5 -

28 March 1933
To Inez Greeven

Dear Mrs. Greeven:
I am directed by the Guardian to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated March 20th, 1933. He feels deeply thankful and gratified for your readiness to act promptly and print the book. As Miss Louise Drake Wright of Boston is shortly coming to Holland to resume the teaching work she started there last year, the sooner the book is ready for circulation the more it will help her in her work. The Guardian sincerely hopes that no unnecessary delay will be permitted.

When the book is out of the press please send one hundred copies to Haifa to the address of Shoghi Effendi, fifty to America to the address of the Publishing Committee, fifty to the National Assembly of Germany, fifty to the Bahá’í Bureau in Geneva and the remainder, please keep yourself for future demands. Perhaps, on her coming to Holland, Miss Wright will desire to have some for her work there.

Please extend Shoghi Effendi’s greetings to Mr. Greeven and express his deep appreciation for the services he is so kindly rendering.
Assuring you both of the Guardians prayers and best wishes, I remain, yours ever sincerely,
Rúḥí Afnán.

P.S. The Guardian fully approves of your suggestion to place copies of the book in the bookshops of Rotterdam. We have just heard that Miss Wright has reached Amsterdam. Her address is still unknown. Rúḥí

Dear and precious co-worker:
I wish to assure you again of my genuine and lively appreciation of the prompt response on your part to my request — a response which I know involves self-sacrifice, and will, I am sure, attract the blessings of our beloved Master. Your name will thereby be forever associated with the birth and history of the Cause in Holland, a further evidence of the predominating share which the American believers are assuming in the international spread of the Cause. Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

- 6 -

12 April 1933
To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Miss Wright:
Shoghi Effendi was delighted to receive you letter of March 31st, 1933 and obtain the news of your safe arrival to Holland. He sincerely hopes that you will pick up the threads of the work you did there last year and gradually confirm in the teachings those you had interested.

You may be interested to know that Mr. and Mrs. Max Greeven will soon be in Rotterdam, if they are not there already, to attend to the publication of Dr. Esslemont’s book into Dutch. As they are expecting to get in touch with Captain Liebau who is now in Holland, you can therefore reach them through him.

There is also a young man by the name of Grosfeld, who is Dutch and has been living in the Dutch East Indies, who is coming back to reside in Holland. He is travelling through the United States to meet the friends there. With all you people centered in Holland some really lasting and wonderful work should be accomplished. But, naturally, much will depend upon you, who will act as the teacher and will stay in the country for some time. They can be very helpful to create for you new contacts, and introduce you to circles where they are known, and in which you could not otherwise enter, or obtain access to. The introductions that you possess are also very valuable and helpful.

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to assure you of his prayers and best wishes for a successful campaign. He trusts that God will guide you and enable you to create a strong and permanent center in that country. He will be eagerly awaiting the news of your activities and the progress of your work.
With best wishes, yours ever sincerely,
Rúḥí Afnán

Dear and precious co-worker:
Your two letters dated April 6th and 7th have just arrived and I am delighted to learn of the splendid start you have made. I wish you could induce Mr. […] to undertake and finish as soon as he can the translation of the Íqán, which has already been published into four languages, the latest being the Chinese version. The book constitutes an essential preliminary to an intensive and intelligent campaign of teaching in Holland. I wish he could complete the translation before the end of the present year! If he cannot undertake it in person, I trust his collaborators may enable him to complete it. The “New Era” is being translated into fifteen additional languages! May the Beloved bless richly your historic work. Rest assured, I will continue to pray for you.
Your true brother,
Shoghi

- 7 -

7 May 1933
To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Miss Wright:
The Guardian received your letter which you had left undated, and read it with a sense of deep pleasure and satisfaction. He sincerely hopes that God will reinforce your sacrificial efforts and enable you to sow some good seeds in that country, for it is sure that the land is ready and the people are far more restless to obtain something new, to help them out of their present troubles, than they were a few years ago. The Guardian will surely pray for you, while visiting the Blessed Shrines, and ask God to guide and assist you.

As regards the translation and publication of the Íqán, Shoghi Effendi believes that as long as Mr. […] is going to translate it free of charge we should not let the chance be left to slip away. Encourage him to start that work and complete it as soon as possible. Meanwhile will you obtain some estimate as to how much its publication will cost and inform the Guardian? He is very eager to have this wonderful book translated well, for it is the best means of grounding those who become interested in the fundamental teachings of the Faith. The Íqán and Dr. Esslemont’s book will be sufficient to make any seeker a true believer in the divine nature of the Faith. The Guardian is eagerly awaiting the news of the progress of your work. He hopes you will keep him informed as to any interesting developments especially regarding the translation of the Íqán.
Assuring you of his prayers and best wishes, yours ever sincerely,
Rúḥí Afnán

Dear and precious co-worker:
I wonder whether it would be possible to induce the translator to print the Íqán at his own expense and obtain whatever profit he can make from the sale of the books, with a definite assurance that we would purchase from him a fixed percentage of the books immediately they are published. If this is not acceptable, I would appreciate an estimate of the cost ofpublication, and trust it will be possible, in the near future, to provide the sum that is required. I trust and pray that the Beloved may guide and sustain you in your arduous, your pioneer and highly meritorious endeavours for the spread of the Cause in Holland.
Shoghi

- 8 -

29 May 1933
To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Bahá’í Sister,
Shoghi EfFendi has directed me to address you these few lines, informing you of a letter he has recently received from Mr. […] in which he has proposed to translate the Kitáb-i-Íqán into Dutch and to have it published partly on his own account. Mr. […], who is a journalist, seems to be deeply interested in the Bahá’í teachings and, although himself not a Bahá’í, yet his genuine belief is that the Íqán is a highly-important and interesting book that can be of an invaluable help to every thoughtful person with some knowledge of religious literature.

His proposition for the publication of the book is as follows. The cost of the publication of 1000 copies he estimates to be 550 dollars and the price of each copy will not exceed 1.50 dollars. He is willing to translate the book free of any charge and he is ready to bring out the book provided Shoghi EfFendi purchases from him 350 copies at a total price of 350 dollars, of which to be paid 175 dollars at once and 175 dollars at the date of publication.

The Guardian is very glad that Mr. […] is ready to facilitate and expedite the publication of the Íqán, and he is ready to contribute his share for the immediate completion of this work. Inasmuch, however, as he is not sufficiently acquainted with the man he would prefer not sending him the sum directly. He thinks it would be much wiser and safer to have the amount sent directly to you so as to prevent any possible difficulty or misunderstanding.

With the assurance of his best and loving greetings and of his continued prayers for the advancement and success of your work.
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbání

P.S. Shoghi Effendi would like you to find out whether Mr. […]’s proposition is wholly genuine and in case you confirm it, he is ready to send you half of the sum immediately. H.R.

Dear and valued co-worker:
Your deeply interesting letters of May 12 brought deep joy to my heart. I am so sorry to hear of the delay in the publication of the ‘New Era’. Do please make every effort to expedite the work, and ensure its early publication. The services you are rendering in protecting the Cause, in defending its institutions, in explaining its principles, in diffusing its spirit and circulating its literature are indeed highly praiseworthy, most appropriate and meritorious in the sight of God. Your pioneer work will surely be richly blessed and enrich the annals of our immortal Faith, if you persevere in your high endeavours. Immediately you confirm and approve the proposition of Mr. […] I will send you the sum of $175 as first instalment.
Your true brother, Shoghi

Shoghi Effendi has postponed answering Mr. […]’s letter until he hears from you. Please write to him immediately.

- 9 -

13 June 1933
To Inez Greeven

Dear Bahá’í Sister,
Your letters dated Apr. 4th and 14th, 1933 addressed to Shoghi Effendi were received and were read with great care and deepest appreciation. He wishes me to extend to you his heartfelt thanks for your splendid efforts in connection with the translation of Dr. Esslemonts book into Dutch. He hopes that through your perseverance and your zeal the whole work will be soon ready for distribution. The Guardian is fully confident that the circulation of this book will greatly facilitate the teaching efforts of the friends and that through its reading many eager souls will be attracted to the Cause.

In closing may I assure you once more of his loving greetings and of his best wishes for your husband and for yourself. In his hours of meditation and prayer at the Blessed Shrines he will surely remember you and will ask the Lord to sustain your efforts, cheer your heart, and enable you to render His Faith yet more outstanding services.
Yours in His service,
H. Rabbání

Dear and valued co-worker:
I am eagerly awaiting the news of the publication of the book, and I trust that nothing unexpected has happened to delay the work in which you are so devotedly engaged. I wish to reaffirm my deep sense of thankfulness for all that you have done and for the efforts you are still exerting in this connection. The Beloved is, I feel certain, well pleased with your achievements.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

- 10 -

27 June 1933
To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Bahá’í Sister,
Your letters dated June 8th and 11th, 1933 were received and read with deep appreciation by the Guardian. He is very sorry to learn that the publication of the Íqán has to be given up in view of the fact that the publisher is not a very reliable person and that his sympathies are not quite in harmony with the teachings of the Cause. But now that the publication of the Íqán has been temporarily abandoned, you should try to give a fuller publicity to the Dutch translation of Dr. Esslemont’s book and thus pave the way for a further and more intense campaign of teaching.

Shoghi Effendi, however, would not like you to undergo further sacrifices in case you feel that you have to go back to the States for reason of health. He is fully alive to the tremendous difficulties that have for so long stood in your way and he is firmly convinced that if you find that your leaving Holland is imperatively necessary, you should not hesitate to leave your work for some time and take all the rest you need. In closing may I assure you once more of his best wishes and of his ardent prayers for the further advancement of your work.
Yours in His service,
H. Rabbání

Dear and precious co-worker:
It is sad and regrettable that the plan for the publication of so important a book had to be abandoned. I still cherish the hope that Bahá’u’lláh will guide you in your devoted and persistent efforts to prepare the way for the consummation of this great and notable service to the Cause. Do not, I pray you, lose courage or hope. I will continue to pray for you and for those you have been so devotedly striving to interest and attract to this Divine Revelation.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

- 11 -

9 February 1934
To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Bahá’í Sister,
Shoghi Effendi has just received your letter of January 30th and he is so happy to learn that you have safely arrived at the Hague, and that you are resuming your teaching activities with the same enthusiasm as that which signalized your first teaching trip to that country. He is looking forward to the day when as a result of your unceasing labours a group of young, active and zealous Bahá’ís will be established in Holland, and who will arise to carry forward the message of peace and of salvation among their own countrymen.

It will certainly encourage you to learn that Mr. Grosfeld, one of our active and capable Dutch Bahá’ís who lived formerly in Java is leaving very soon for Holland and is planning to settle there and to teach actively the Cause. He was converted to the Faith a few years ago through the care of one of our Egyptian Bahá’ís. He was on a visit to Cairo when he met that friend, and was so much impressed by the Teachings that he accepted them at once. Ever since he has been living in the East Indies and only a few months ago he left that country for a visit around the world. He has been to China, Japan, and has visited the friends in various parts of the States. He speaks many languages, and is eager to teach the Cause. On his way to Holland, the Guardian has requested him to visit the believers in Syria, Turkey, Bulgaria, Austria and Germany. May his presence and his close cooperation with you pave the way for the effective spread of the Teachings.

With the assurance of his prayers on your behalf and on behalf of those to whom you have referred in your letter.
Yours in His service,
H. Rabbání

With the assurance of my deepest and abiding appreciation of your continued and notable services to the Faith, and of my prayers for your welfare and spiritual advancement,
Your true brother,
Shoghi

- 12 -

29 June 1936
To Wim Grosfeld

Dear Mr. Grosfeld, The Guardian was deeply gratified to receive your very kind and assuring message of June 1st, and is indeed comforted to learn that you are keeping in good health, and are as ever deeply attached to the Cause. It was such a long time that he had no news from you, and was feeling really anxious, knowing well the difficult circumstances under which you were living in Holland. He is profoundly grieved to learn that you are still being faced with so many difficulties, and that you have not yet succeeded in securing a suitable position which would enable you to settle permanently in your country. He feels that in case you are sure to find some employment, or work privately in Java or in any other place you should not hesitate to do so.

As you have been already in the East, it would not be very difficult for you to return there and start once more your work. But before undertaking such a trip, the Guardian would advise you to make all the necessary enquiries, and to fully ascertain that once there you will be sure to find a proper job.

In his prayers and meditations, the Guardian will remember you and will specially entreat Bahá’u’lláh to protect, strengthen and guide you, and open before you the door of success. You should not feel discouraged at the sight of the obstacles that so severely confront you at present, but should feel confident that through your sustained and wise efforts and through God’s unfailing guidance you will succeed in overcoming them one by one. Also, you should bear in mind that sorrows and afflictions are a necessary part of life, and are often blessings in disguise, as they serve to open our eyes to the nobler spiritual aspects of life. Trials and sufferings are therefore very helpful to our spiritual growth, and as such should be accepted with the utmost resignation and submissiveness to the Divine Will.

With warmest Bahá’í greetings, and every good wish,
yours in His Service,
H. Rabbání

Dearly beloved co-worker:
It is such a joy and relief to hear from you after such a long silence. I do hope and pray from all my heart that your affairs may be speedily adjusted that you may be enabled to resume actively your work of service to our beloved Faith. Wherever you may settle and labour my prayers will ever be with you. I am eager to keep in close touch with you, and I hope you will continue to write to me about your plans and future decisions. Wishing you happiness and success from the depths of my heart, your true brother,
Shoghi

- 13 -

4 September 1936
To Wim Grosfeld

Dear Mr. Grosfeld,
Your welcome letter of August 7th to the Guardian has arrived, and the news of the success of the teaching work in Holland has greatly rejoiced his heart. He hopes that the small group of beginners you have succeeded in forming will meet regularly, and that through careful and concentrated study of the Cause they will grow both in numbers and in strength. Will you be so kind as to convey his greetings and heartfelt congratulations to these dear friends, and to assure each and all of them of his ardent prayers and best wishes for the success of their endeavours in the path of service to our beloved Cause.

The Guardian is however extremely grieved to learn that you are still without proper work, and he would certainly advise you, in case you find it quite impossible to earn your living in Holland, to leave for any other country where you can be assured of gaining the means of your livelihood.

Assuring you once more of his fervent prayers for the removal of your difficulties, and for the realization of your fondest hopes and dearest wishes.
Yours in His service,
H. Rabbání

Dearest co-worker:
Kindly assure those precious friends that you have interested in the Cause of my love, my best wishes and prayers for their spiritual advancement. Your noble and historic work, conducted under such difficult circumstances, is dear and near to my heart, and is worthy of the highest praise. I pray that you may be enabled to find the necessary means that will enable you to expand and consolidate the work you have so nobly initiated. Persevere and rest confident.
Affectionately,
Shoghi

- 14 -

17 November 1937
To Inez Greeven

Dear Mrs. Greeven,
The Guardian has received your letter of the 26th October and has learned with satisfaction of the news of the completion of the printing of the Dutch version of the Kitáb-i-Íqán. He has also received a note from the publisher regarding the printing expenses, and has mailed him a draft for £41.17.1, being half of the total cost for publishing the book.

He would approve of the publishers suggestion to place three hundred copies with all the booksellers, and to send the remaining two hundred over to Haifa, He trusts that the books will be soon mailed and will reach in good condition. Needless to assure you how grateful he feels for this outstanding service you and your dear sister have been able to render, and he will pray that as a result the Cause may make a good start in Holland. He is eagerly waiting to hear of the good news of the progress of your teaching activities, and would urge you to whole-heartedly and confidently persevere in your efforts.

Regarding the statement you had enclosed about the sale of the Esslemont book: the Guardian indeed regrets that the results are so disappointing, and does not think it necessary for you to make any accounting to the Esslemont heirs. He would advise you to wait until the amount collected would be sufficiently substantial.

In closing may I express the Guardian’s hope that your trip to Italy will prove helpful in restoring your health. He will specially pray to the Beloved that He may strengthen your forces for many more years of service to His Faith.

Loving greetings to you and dear Mr. Greeven, and with best wishes for your success in your new field of work in Holland. Yours ever in His service,
H. Rabbání

P.S. Of the 200 copies you are going to send to Haifa, the Guardian wishes you to mail fifty to the American National Spiritual Assembly and to distribute thirty among the various other Assemblies throughout the Bahá’í world.

Dear and valued co-worker:
I wish to assure you in person of my special prayers for the success of the efforts which you and dear Mr. Greeven are now exerting in Holland for the progress and establishment of the Faith. The literature which through your generous assistance is now available in Dutch will no doubt be a great help to you in your devoted labours, and I pray that your dearest hopes may be fully and speedily realized. My loving gratitude to you both, your true brother,
Shoghi

- 15 -

10 November 1938
To Max Greeven

Dear Mr. Greeven,
I am directed by the Guardian to express his thanks for your letters dated August 9th and October 11th.