is indeed a great tragedy that ... should have such an utterly
despicable character, and the ability to be a teacher. He has undoubtedly
dealt with the greatest injustice with the friends in Fiji who wrote to
Mr. Blum; and the Guardian was extremely sorry to hear that this man,
attracted to the Faith of Baha'u'llah, and evidently a sincere and decent
person, should have been duped by the very man who gave him this glorious
Message. It was very wise to send Mr. Blum out there; and he hopes that
your Assembly will keep in close contact with the friends who were
attracted, it would seem almost miraculously under the circumstances, to
the Cause of Baha'u'llah in those distant islands.

It might interest your Assembly to know that since leaving Fiji, ... went
to the United States, and himself admitted in a letter to the Guardian
that he had seen Ahmad Sohrab.

The Guardian assures your Assembly, and, through you, all the believers
throughout Australasia, that he has been deeply touched by the spirit of
loyalty which you have all shown at this difficult time for him, and also
the devotion to every work which is undertaken here at the International
Center of the Faith.

The support you have given to the construction of the Shrine of the Bab
has been deeply appreciated; and he hopes that in the not distant future
it will be possible for the doors of pilgrimage to be opened once more;
and then the believers can see with their own eyes what their sacrificial
contributions have helped to erect, on Mount Carmel. It will interest the
friends to hear that we are at present busy with the preliminary work
required prior to the erection of the second story of the Holy Tomb, in
other words, the octagonal portion, which will be built on top of the roof
of the original Shrine building erected by 'Abdu'l-Baha Himself. The
stones have been ordered from Italy for this next stage in our
undertaking, and soon will be coming to Haifa another 300 tons of granite,
some of it with beautiful carved ornamentation.

The Guardian would like you to please convey to the Adelaide Spiritual
Assembly his deep appreciation of the contribution they made through your
Body to the Shrine Fund here in Haifa, a contribution which represents the
sum of their Property Fund. They showed in this matter an exemplary
spirit, and placed the major issue in its true perspective, forgetting
their local hopes and aspirations in order that the work on the glorious
Shrine