by
Shoghi Effendi

© Bahá’í International Community

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1922-02-06 To Un-named Persian, “I wish to be known as”

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Khánum, p76

I wish to be known, to realize myself however far I may proceed in future, as one and only one of the many workers in His Vineyards… Whatever may betide I trust in His [‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s] wondrous love for me. May I in no wise by my deeds, thoughts or words, impede the stream of His sustaining Spirit which I sorely need in facing the responsibilities He has placed on my youthful shoulders…

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1922-03-19 To Un-named Professor, Position in Faith

Priceless Pearl — Rúḥíyyih Khánum, p49

Replying to your question as to whether I have been officially designated to represent the Bahá’í Community: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in his testament has appointed me to be the head of the universal council which is to be duly elected by national councils representative of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in different countries…

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1922-04-05 To Col Symes as Govenor of Phoenicia, Leaving Haifa for Rest

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Khánum, p275-6

As I am compelled to leave Haifa for reasons of health, I have named as my representative during my absence, the sister of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahíyyih Khánum … To assist her to conduct the affairs of the Bahá’í Movement in this country and elsewhere, I have also appointed a committee of the following Bahá’ís [eight men of the local community, three of them the sons-in-law of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá]… The Chairman of this Committee, to be soon elected by its members, with the signature of Bahíyyih Khánum has my authority to transact any affairs that may need to be considered and decided during my absence. I regret exceedingly to be unable to see you before my departure, that I may express more adequately the satisfaction that I feel to know that your sense of justice will safeguard the interests of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh whenever called upon to act.

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1922-12-16 Letter on Return to Haifa

SOTW Volume 13 No. 11, February, 1923, p299

To the loved ones of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá throughout the continent of America,
Dear fellow-workers in the Holy Vineyard of Bahá

Now that my tong hours of rest and meditation are happily at an end I turn my face with renewed hope and vigour to that vast continent the soil of which is pregnant with those seeds that our beloved Master has so tenderly and so profusely scattered in the past. Prolonged though this period has been, yet I have strongly felt ever since the New Day has dawned upon me that such a needed retirement, despite the temporary dislocations it might entail, would far outweigh in its results any immediate service I could have humbly tendered at the Threshold of Bahá’u’lláh.

I am now confident that the energies of my beloved brethren and sisters across the seas, far from being damped by my sudden disappearance from the field of service, will henceforth be fully maintained, nay redoubled in their intensity, that we may all together carry triumphantly to the uttermost corners of the world the glorious Standard of Bahá.

Bereft of all news whatsoever during my hours of restful seclusion, I now feel the more the thrill of the various tidings, few but indeed promising, that have been awaiting my return to the Holy Land. The work of the noble Edifice that the mighty hands of the All-Wise Master has reared in this world can suffer no delay, nor can its foundations be made to totter, whatever the apparent obstacles its enemies in their impotent wrath and despair may throw in its way. We need not wait too long, for already from various quarters there comes the news that the awful promises of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá regarding the Covenant-breakers have been strikingly fulfilled.

But it behooves us not to dwell for a moment on these doomed and darkened efforts for the shining light of the Master’s unfailing guidance is beckoning us to more constructive service, to nobler and worthier achievements.

We have, not a long time ago, with tearful eyes commemorated the world over the passing hour of our beloved Master. Would to God it has marked in our lives which we all have consecrated to his service a fresh, solemn and unswerving re solution of devotion and fidelity to his Cause.

Haifa, Palestine,
December 16th, 1922.
Your brother and co-worker,
(Signed)

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1922-12-16 Cable on Return to Haifa

SOTW Vol 13 #10 p265

BELIEVERS IN AMERICA CARE A LUNT BOSTON

THE ONWARD MARCH OF THE CAUSE HATH NOT BEEN NOR CAN IT EVER BE STAYED. I PRAY THE ALLMIGHTY THAT MY EFFORTS NOW REFRESHED AND RENEWED MAY WITH YOUR UNDIMINISHED SUPPORT LEAD IT TO GLORIOUS VICTORY

SHOGHI

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1922-12-16 To Colonel Symes Governor of Phoenicia, Return to Haifa

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Khánum, p276-7

It is my pleasant duty to inform you of my return to the Holy Land after a prolonged period of rest and meditation and of my assumption of my official functions … I had felt after the passing of my beloved Grandfather too exhausted, overwhelmed and sorrowful to be able to conduct efficiently the affairs of the Bahá’í Movement. Now that I feel again restored and refreshed and in a position to resume my arduous duties, I wish to express to you on this occasion my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the sympathetic consideration you have shown towards the Movement during my absence…

It is a great pleasure and privilege for me to be enabled to renew my acquaintance with you and Mrs. Symes which I am confident will in the course of time grow into warm and abiding friendship.

Kind regards and best wishes, Shoghi

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1922-12-16 To the Bahá’ís of France on Returning to Holy Land

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Khánum, p65

AWAITING YOUR JOYFUL TIDINGS IN THE HOLY LAND

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1922-12-16 To Bahá’ís of Germany on Returning to Holy Land

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Khánum, p64

UNITED THUS FAR WITH YOU IN MY THOUGHTS AND MEDITATIONS I NOW GLADLY AND HOPEFULLY ADD THE FURTHER BOND OF ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN A LIFE-LONG SERVICE AT THE THRESHOLD OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

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1922-12-16 To Bahá’ís of Great Britain on Returning to Holy Land

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Khánum, p64

SOLACED AND STRENGTHENED, I NOW JOIN MY HUMBLE STRIVINGS TO YOUR UNTIRING EXERTIONS FOR THE CAUSE OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

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