approval of their plan. He feels, indeed, that the time has come for
the German believers to acquire a thorough knowledge as well as a full
understanding of such important Tablets as Baha'u'llah's "Book of
Covenant" and 'Abdu'l-Baha's Will and Testament, both of which constitute
the very bedrock upon which the entire administrative system of the Faith
has been raised and established. As to the "Dispensation of Baha'u'llah"
it also constitutes an invaluable supplement to these afore-mentioned
Tablets. In connection with the "Kitab-i-'Ahd", the Guardian thinks it
preferable that it should be published in a separate booklet, and that the
"Tablet of the Branch" and the "Lawh-i-Aqdas", both of which have been
rather poorly translated from the original, should not be included in it.

As to the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the N.S.A., he wishes to
re-emphasize the importance of your Assembly's adhering to the exact
wording of the text of the constitution adopted by the American N.S.A.
which, as he has repeatedly stated, constitutes a model for all national
Baha'i constitutions. Anything not specifically mentioned in this national
charter is left to the full discretion of every N.S.A. inasmuch as it
constitutes a matter of secondary importance. In fundamentals, however,
strict conformity should be maintained throughout the Baha'i world, and to
this category belong all the principles, laws and regulations set down in
the text of the national constitution. As an example of the loyalty with
which the friends are following this principle the Guardian is enclosing a
copy of the national constitution of the Baha'is of India and Burma which,
with the exception of the Article VIII which is now being amended,
conforms in every detail to the text of the constitution of the American
N.S.A.

With his loving greetings to you and all the friends,...

[From the Guardian:]

With the renewed assurance of my loving prayers for you and of my deepfelt
appreciation of your magnificent labours in the Divine vineyard.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

LETTER OF 4 FEBRUARY 1935

4 February 1935

Dear Dr. Muehlschlegel,

The Guardian has duly received your letter of the 29th of January last,
and has carefully noted the points which you had raised in connection with
certain Baha'i administrative regulations and principles governing the
election of local and national assemblies.

First, he wishes me to express the hope that your ne