er for us, for we do so under false pretences. We should,
therefore, withdraw from our churches but continue to associate, if we
wish to, with the church members and ministers.

Our belief in Christ, as Baha'is, is so firm, so unshakable and so exalted
in nature that very few Christians are to be found nowadays who love Him
and reverence Him and have the faith in Him that we have. It is only from
the dogmas and creeds of the churches that we dissociate ourselves; not
from the spirit of Christianity.

Very much the same reasons motivate us in withdrawing from all political
movements, however close some of their ideals may be to ours. We Baha'is
are one the world-over, we are seeking to build up a New World Order,
Divine in origin. How can we do this if every Baha'i is a member of a
different political party--some of them diametrically opposed to each
other? Where is our unity then? We would be divided because of politics,
against ourselves, and this is the opposite of our purpose. Obviously if
one Baha'i in Austria, is given freedom to choose a political party and
join it, however good its aims may be, another Baha'i in Japan, or America
or India, has the right to do the same thing, and he might belong to a
party the very opposite in principle to that which the Austrian Baha'i
belongs to. Where would be the unity of the Faith then? These two
spiritual brothers would be working against each other, because of their
political affiliations (as the Christians of Europe have been doing in so
many fratricidal wars).

The best way for a Baha'i to serve his country and the world is to work
for the establishment of Baha'u'llah's World Order, which will gradually
unite all men and do away with divisive political systems and religious
creeds.

He does not force you to do this at once; but urges you all to decide to
withdraw from your churches and political groups within, say, a year, and
then to help each other to do this. You will find your spiritual strength
greater for taking this step.

Please assure dear Mrs. Schwarz of his loving prayers on her behalf.

He will also pray for you all in the Holy Shrines, and urges you to
persevere in your services to our beloved Faith....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

I was so pleased to receive your message and so thankful for the evidences
of devotion, of determination and love it contained. The Austrian
believers are dear and near to my heart, and I deeply sym