April 4. On this date in 1930, Shoghi Effendi wrote"Perhaps, if we had endeavoured more, if we had sacrificed to a greater extent, if, following the explicit wish of the Master, we had sought to spread the Cause even more than we have done, Mrs. White) and her like could not criticise us to such an extent and say that the administration has killed the spirit."

 

April 4. On this date in 1930, Shoghi Effendi wrote"Perhaps, if we had endeavoured more, if we had sacrificed to a greater extent, if, following the explicit wish of the Master, we had sought to spread the Cause even more than we have done, Mrs. White) and her like could not criticise us to such an extent and say that the administration has killed the spirit."

Ruth White was an American author who was an active member of the Bahá'í Faith and devoted follower of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. She rose to fame amongst the followers of the faith after she challenged the appointment of Shogi Effendi as the successor of 'Abdu'l-Bahá based on proof given by the renowned criminologist Dr. Charles Ainsworth Mitchell that the will of 'Abdu'l-Bahá was a forgery. Her claim was based in part, she says, on that 'Abdu'l-Bahá would never advocate for a hierarchy, much less the establishment of a "papacy". Later on, followers of Ruth White and Hermann Zimmer came to be known as Free Bahá'ís.

4 April 1930

Dear friends:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated March 25th 1930. He hopes and prays that you will stand firm in these days of tests and appreciate the light and seek it steadfastly. Miss Wright comes from a country where the friends have at several occasions been put to test and therefore she appreciates the difficulties that the friends are confronting. Shoghi Effendi hopes, that coming from the Holy Land she will import to you the spirit she obtained at the Holy Thresholds.

Ever since the inception of the Cause we have been experiencing constant attacks. Sometimes they came from outside. Other times they came from souls most trusted and loved. In every case however they have proven to be for the good of the Faith. It is such events that arouse the friends to added service.

Shoghi Effendi hopes that as a result of Mrs. White)'s activities the friends will become more united and feel to a greater extent the importance of their task. Perhaps, if we had endeavoured more, if we had sacrificed to a greater extent, if, following the explicit wish of the Master, we had sought to spread the Cause even more than we have done, Mrs. White) and her like could not criticise us to such an extent and say that the administration has killed the spirit. Let us therefore take a lesson from what has passed and render to the Cause services still unseen in the history of the movement.

In closing may I assure you of Shoghi Effendi's prayers and loving greetings,...

In the Guardian's own handwriting:

My dearly-beloved friends:

The expression of your loyalty and perseverance has rejoiced my heart. You are truly the heroic pioneers of the Cause of God. I will supplicate for each one of you at the Beloved's Shrine, that your understanding of the Faith may deepen, and that each of you may grow to become a shining star in the firmament of our beloved Cause.

Your true brother,

Shoghi