ng of all is to
build this first Temple on European soil.

In the days when 'Abdu'l-Baha was urging the American Baha'is to build the
first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of the western world, He repeatedly emphasized
that it could be a modest building, and that the important thing was the
spiritual element that this House of Worship in the name of Baha'u'llah
should be raised in the heart of America. The same thing applies now to
your Temple in Germany. Size and pretentiousness are not important. The
important thing is that the building should be speedily erected, and be a
financial possibility, not placing, as the American Temple, a terrible
strain on the friends for years to come.

He is happy to see that the German friends have been able, during the last
few years, to move about much more, attend conferences in other European
countries, go forth as pioneers, and gradually increase the number of
centres in Germany and Austria. He attaches the greatest importance to
this because one of the main tasks of your Assembly is to insure that
Austria will have an independent National Assembly by the end of the Plan;
and she cannot do this unless she multiplies her Spiritual Assemblies in
order to build a broad foundation for the National Body. He hopes you will
constantly encourage the Vienna Baha'is and the isolated believers in
Austria to increase their teaching activities, to strengthen the work of
the Faith, to pioneer in new centres, and, above all, to be united; as
unity is one of the greatest forces at our disposal for achieving the work
of the Cause.

He assures you one and all that he remembers you most lovingly in his
prayers in the holy Shrine, and supplicates for the removal of every
obstacle in your path and the attainment of all your goals....

P.S. The Guardian wishes particularly to thank you all for your loving
message to him on the occasion of Ridvan, which he appreciated receiving
very much. He assures you all that he prays that great victories may
attend your efforts to spread the Faith and consolidate its foundations.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

The steady extension and consolidation of the activities in which the
members of the Baha'i communities in Germany and Austria are so devotedly,
so unitedly and strenuously engaged, have greatly cheered my heart,
heightened my admiration for them, and reinforced my hopes for the
triumphant conclusion of their collective enterprises undertaken