The beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful, throughout Australasia
Dearly beloved brethren and sisters in ‘Abdu'l-Baha!
I have been deeply touched by the welcome letter which our beloved friends, Mr. and Mrs Dunn, have sent me from that faraway land, and I am delighted to hear of the deep and widespread interest that they have awakened in the hearts of its people in the truths of this glorious Revelation. Their marvellous energy, their unwavering determination, their devoted labours to spread the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh far and wide have excited the admiration of all the resident friends in the Holy Land and have revived my hopes for the glorious future of that distant continent. I have incorporated the contents of that encouraging letter in the circular letter which is sent once every nineteen days by the Spiritual Assembly of Haifa to all the various Spiritual Assemblies throughout the East and I am confident that your news will be received by all of them with intense delight and gratitude.
May that small and rising community in Australia raise the Call of the New Day of God in the heart of that promising continent, and set aflame the hearts of its people with the Bahá’i Spirit that alone can give the world the Peace that it craves for and which no human power can ever hope to achieve
I have also read with deep satisfaction the enclosed letters sent by my beloved Bahá’i brother and sister Mr. B. Dewing’ and Miss. Nora Lee.
I very earnestly urge them to concentrate for the present their attention on the spread of the Movement in Australia, and do all they can to establish various Bahá’í centres in those remote regions of the globe. I sincerely and fervently pray on their behalf that they may be divinely guided and richly blessed in their efforts to consolidate the Work that has been so admirably and beautifully started in that land. Extreme pressure of work, unfortunately, prevents me from corresponding with the friends individually, but I wish to assure them one and all that in my hours of prayer and silent meditation, I remember them most tenderly and beseech on their behalf whenever I visit the Sacred Shrines, the protection and the grace of God, that they may herald the Glad-Tidings of the Kingdom to this distracted and disillusioned world.
Regarding the questions raised in our beloved Bahá’í brother, Mr. Dewing’s letter, feel that I can not add to what has already been fully and clearly stated by our Master ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the book of "Some Answered Questions", where, I am sure, she will find the clue to all the perplexing questions that agitate the mind of man in his search after true knowledge. The more this Book is read with care and patience, the greater are its revelations, and the more complete the understanding of its inner truth and significance.
I am enclosing for your perusal various selections and prayers from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá. which I am sure will stimulate you to further action and greater perseverance in your labours for His Cause.
I eagerly await your individual as well as collective letters, and am so anxious to know more of the progress of your activities. and the plans that you contemplate for the effective propagation of the Movement in that part of the world.
Assuring you again of my constant prayers for your guidance, protection and success in the field of service,
I am your devoted brother and co-worker.
Shoghi
(‘Messages to the Antipodes’)
