f
doing a thing in a certain way, and thereby become captive to prescribed
forms. It should therefore be the duty of the assemblies everywhere to see
that, though certain temporary measures are taken to further the Cause,
they do not crystallise into hard and fast creeds.

Letter of 6 April 1928

6 April 1928

[From the Guardian]

I feel that regarding such interpretations (of verses from the Scriptures)
no one has the right to impose his view or opinion and require his
listeners to believe in his particular interpretation of the sacred and
prophetic writings. I have no objection to your interpretations and
inferences so long as they are represented as your own personal
observations and reflections. It would be unnecessary and confusing to
state authoritatively and officially a dogmatic Baha'i interpretation to
be universally accepted and taught by believers. Such matters I feel
should be left to the personal judgement and insight of individual
teachers....

Letter of 12 December 1929

12 December 1929

Ever since its inception (the "Baha'i World") Shoghi Effendi has cherished
the hope of making it a work that would prove interesting and illuminating
to the reader. Destined mainly for the non-Baha'is, he has tried to
attract through its pages the attention of educated and enlightened people
and especially leaders in every country, with a view to acquaint them with
the broad and fundamental principles of the Faith and to win their
consideration of the Movement as a growing force for good and for peace
throughout the entire world. It is therefore with lively satisfaction that
he has seen the publication grow yearly in importance and this feeling has
been lately enhanced very much by the words of interest or appreciation
which he has received from many quarters and leading men, among which was
a remarkably encouraging letter from Sir Herbert Samuel. Indeed Shoghi
Effendi has made it a point to send copies to as many leading men as
possible and copies of last year's issue were presented to the Emperor of
Japan, the _Sh_ah of Persia and Queen Marie of Rumania.

Letter of 9 February 1930

9 February 1930

The subject you had raised with regard to the date of the publication of
the writings of Baha'u'llah is interesting as it is important. If I
remember correctly the same issue was raised as an open challenge in India
by some spokesman of the Ahmadiyya sect. The earliest published writings