Facsimile of Letter from Shoghi Effendi, written by his own hand, and Envelope (above) addressed to the Star of the West
Photograph of the original letter written by Shoghi, Effenili and, translation of same, sent to the Star of the West by his honor Mirza Hadi Shirazi, the noble father of Shoghi, Effendi, through Dr. Zia M. Baghdadi.
“He Is God!
This servant, after that grievous event and great calamity -- the ascension of His Holiness ‘Abdu’l-Baha to the Abha Kingdom -- has been so stricken with grief and pain and so entangled in the troubles (created) by the enemies of the Cause of God that I consider my presence here, at such a time and in such an atmosphere, is not in accordance with the fulfillment of my important and sacred duties.
For this reason, unable to do otherwise, I have left for a time the affairs of the Cause, both at home and abroad, under the supervision of the Holy Family and the headship of the Greatest Holy Leaf -- may my soul be a sacrifice to her – until, by the Grace of God, having gained health, strength, self-confidence and spiritual energy, and having taken into my hands, in accordance with my aim and desire, entirely and regularly the work of service, I shall attain to my utmost spiritual hope and aspiration.
The servant of His Threshold,
(signed) SHOGHI.”
(April 1922)
(Star of the West, vol. 13, no. 4, May 17, 1922)
