less opportunity. They will, I feel confident, prove
themselves worthy of the great blessings showered upon them in the past by
their Lord and Master.

Affectionately,
Shoghi

LETTER OF 19 JUNE 1947

19 June 1947

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your loving message, sent to our beloved Guardian on the occasion of the
celebration of his twenty-five years of Guardianship, reached him and
touched him very much indeed.

He feels a special affection for the Esslingen Community, as it is not
only one of the oldest ones in Germany but he associates it with the
important Summer School held in its neighbourhood.

Your love for and devotion to our glorious Faith are greatly appreciated,
and the many services that members of your Community have rendered, and
are rendering it, deeply valued.

He assures you all he will pray for the success of your labours in the
Holy Shrines, and that Baha'u'llah may increase your numbers and richly
bless you all....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless your efforts, guide your steps, remove every
obstacle that impedes the growth of your Community, and assist you to
proclaim the truths of His Faith and consolidate its institutions,

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

LETTER OF 24 JUNE 1947

24 June 1947

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letter, dated June 16th, has been received, and our beloved Guardian
has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

He can quite well understand that after so many years of isolation from
the rest of the Baha'i world it came as a surprise to some of you to hear
that we, as Baha'is, must not have any affiliations with churches or
political parties. But he feels certain that when you meditate on this
matter you yourselves will see the wisdom of it. We, as Baha'is, can never
be known as hypocrites or as people insincere in their protestations and
because of this we cannot subscribe to both the Faith of Baha'u'llah and
ordinary church dogma. The churches are waiting for the coming of Jesus
Christ; we believe He has come again in the Glory of the Father. The
churches teach doctrines--various ones in various creeds--which we as
Baha'is do not accept; such as the bodily Resurrection, confession, or, in
some creeds, the denial of the Immaculate Conception. In other words there
is no Christian church today whose dogmas we, as Baha'is can truthfully
say we accept in their entirety--therefore to remain a member of the Church
is not prop