he family know that the expense would be defrayed by the
friends all over the world and by Shoghi Effendi himself.

Shoghi Effendi would also like you to send the picture of Dr. Esslemont to
the countries where the friends have published magazines with a request to
have it published. They are America, India, Germany and Australia. He
wants you also to write a comprehensive biographical sketch of the life of
Dr. Esslemont for "The Star" in America laying most stress on his life
since he became a Baha'i. This of course does not necessarily mean that
you should write it yourself but anyone in London. You should also make
mention of him in your circular letter in detail....

Letter of 30 November 1925

30 November 1925(7)

To the beloved of God and the handmaids of the Merciful in the East and in
the West.

Dear fellow-workers,

It is with feelings of overwhelming sorrow that I communicate to you the
news of yet another loss which the Almighty, in His inscrutable wisdom,
has chosen to inflict upon our beloved Cause. On the 22nd of November,
1925--that memorable and sacred day in which the Baha'is of the Orient
celebrated the twin Festivals of the Declaration of the Bab and the
Birthday of 'Abdu'l-Baha--Dr. John E. Esslemont passed on to the Abha
Kingdom. His end was as swift as it was unexpected. Suffering from the
effects of a chronic and insidious disease, he fell at last a victim to
the inevitable complications that ensued, the fatal course of which
neither the efforts of vigilant physicians nor the devoted care of his
many friends could possibly deflect.

He bore his sufferings with admirable fortitude, with calm resignation and
courage. Though convinced that his ailments would never henceforth forsake
him, yet many a time he revealed a burning desire that the friends
residing in the Holy Land should, while visiting the Shrines, implore the
All-Merciful to prolong his days that he may bring to a fuller completion
his humble share of service to the Threshold of Baha'u'llah. To this noble
request all hearts warmly responded. But this was not to be. His close
association with my work in Haifa, in which I had placed fondest hopes,
was suddenly cut short. His book, however, an abiding monument to his pure
intention, will, alone, inspire generations yet unborn to tread the path
of truth and service as steadfastly and as unostentatiously as was trodden
by its beloved author. The Cause he loved so well he served