s distinguished itself by its zeal, its
accomplishments, its long record of service, and on which the Beloved has
conferred such great bounties and blessings. I cherish great hopes for its
future, and will supplicate on its behalf, that the Almighty may enable it
to render His Faith still more notable services, and contribute, in an
outstanding manner, to the onward march of the Faith and the development
of its institutions in that promising country.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

LETTER OF 5 JUNE 1949

5 June 1949

You have asked for his advice about two matters which concern you very
deeply, and although he knows your love for this Holy Cause will assist
you in making the right decisions, he knows it will be hard for you to do
so, and therefore assures you of his loving prayers that you may take
these steps courageously, and that the way may be made easy for you.

He has heard nothing against the character of Mrs ... and does not doubt
in many ways she may be a very commendable woman. However, this does not
change the fact that in view of her inhered convictions about Baha'u'llah
it is best for the Baha'is, including yourself, not to associate with her.
That which is in the heart of those who have actively opposed the
Manifestation of God is spiritually unhealthy, and although we in our
limited human understanding cannot always see the wisdom of shunning them,
the Master has instructed us to do so, and for our good, and the good of
the Cause, we must obey this instruction.

The matter of your giving up your church membership is a conscientious
obligation. He does not force you to do so, but as you no longer believe
in all the doctrines of your former church, to continue to be a member of
it is really to put yourself in a position of one who is acting
insincerely. Should you decide to withdraw from the church as a member,
however there is no reason why you should not continue to go to church
with your husband, and to continue your friendly association with the
congregation. He will pray that your husband may be willing for you to
take this step.

LETTER OF 30 SEPTEMBER 1949(34)

30 September 1949

He fully appreciates your point about certain well-known names of Persian
and other Oriental cities being spelt according to the general usage in
German literature. However, he feels that it is necessary to follow in
full the transliteration used in God Passes By, even for the names of