his taking a more active part in the affairs
of the Cause.

I am enclosing for the friends recent translations of the wonderful
prophetic utterances of Baha'u'llah, and I trust you will find them of
great value in your work of teaching and spreading the Cause.

Awaiting eagerly your letters, individually as well as collectively,

I am your brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 9 December 1923

9 December 1923

My dear Mr. Simpson,

Your short yet encouraging letter was gladly received by our dear Shoghi
Effendi just yesterday evening. He felt very pleased indeed with that
spirit of hopefulness which your letter conveyed, and he eagerly hopes
that in the days to come nothing will mar the brightness and optimism of
his English brethren and sisters over in the West.

Your references to the commemoration meeting held in London, brought back
with all its painful sadness recollections of that one night. In a calm
and quiet night, brightened by the silvery rays of the moon, gathered
'Abdu'l-Baha's sorrow-stricken faithful ones, to commemorate the night of
His last farewell. On the cistern by the Tomb sat His fervent servants;
below them flickered the dying lights of Haifa, and above head shown in
full magnificence the star bespangled heavens. It was in the mid-watches
of such a night that with sorrow and fervour the servants turned unto
their dear Master so near and yet so far away; and with a deep feeling of
that bitter loss they supplicated help and guidance from their Lord. A
word or two from Shoghi Effendi made them feel the Master nigh, and made
them realise as never before that it was only in following in His steps,
and in living the life that He had, that we can prove our faithfulness to
our Master's Cause. It was indeed a night of meditation and prayer and we
missed you all so much.

We are receiving encouraging news from almost everywhere, such as Italy,
Germany, China and Australia; and as you will have them more fully in the
circulars of the Spiritual Assembly, I had hardly need make mention of
them here.

Shoghi Effendi's earnest hopes in England are very great, and I am sure
that the sincere and true-hearted efforts of his fellow-workers, will
spread the principles of this great Revelation as never before. Hard
though it be to get access to the more intellectual circles in England, he
firmly believes that through persistence, the obstacles will be soon
overcome and they, with their own accord, will welc