pathize with them
in the ordeal and tribulations which they have suffered, and which have
demonstrated the quality of their faith and the depth of their devotion.
The funds accumulated for their relief and for the development of the
Faith in their land will, I trust, be soon forwarded to them, and will no
doubt greatly contribute to the rehabilitation and growth of their beloved
community. Persevere in your meritorious labours, and rest assured that
you are often in my thoughts and prayers, and that I will continue to
supplicate for you all the Master's richest blessings.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

P.S. He feels that the German and Austrian believers are one in language
and that the Austrian friends should consider the N.G.R. as their National
Assembly, the same as before the war. We are Baha'is and have no
nationalistic feelings in such matters. Our ties are purely spiritual. But
you can consult the European Teaching Committee if the NGR is too
difficult at present. The Guardian wishes you to know that as soon as
there are a sufficient number of Baha'i assemblies in Austria she will
naturally have her own NGR.

LETTER OF 27 SEPTEMBER 1947 (SUMMER SCHOOL)

27 September 1947 (Summer School)

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letters to our beloved Guardian reached him through Mr. ..., and he
was delighted to see that so many believers had been able to attend the
school at Esslingen this summer.

It shows the vitality of the German Baha'is and their intense desire to
further the interests of our glorious Faith in Germany, and build up its
institutions.

He urges you all, in your work for the Cause in your local Communities, to
stress the need for the greatest love and unity amongst the Baha'is
themselves. It is this love and spiritual solidarity that is so sadly
lacking in the world today, and for which its people are starving. When
they see within the Baha'i Community the true spirit of brotherhood
exemplified, they will turn to Baha'u'llah and embrace His Message.

He also urges you to exert yourselves ceaselessly in the teaching field,
and build up new Baha'i centers, establish new spiritual assemblies, and
convert the existing groups into assemblies by April of next year.

The Cause, we know, has a great future in Germany, and he assures you all
he is constantly praying for the success of your devoted labours....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-workers:

Your messages, eloquently testi