Messages to the Antipodes

This compilation of communications from Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of Bahá'u'lláh's Faith, provides deep insight to the manner in which, over a period of some four and a half decades, he single-handedly raised vibrant Bahá'í communities in Australia and New Zealand. Boundless love, patience and encouragement perfume the communications of Shoghi Effendi with the three protagonists of the Divine Plan-individuals, institutions and the community-whether written by him or on his behalf, the latter invariably accompanied by a personal note of endearment in his own hand. The Guardian's humility, his spirit of servitude, the openness of his heart and mind, and the power of his voice, permeate his correspondence, constantly urging the friends to arise and, in so doing, to turn to 'Abdu'l-Bahá as their guide and refuge while perceiving himself as but their "devoted brother and co-worker". The magnetism of his self-sacrificing love inspired and empowered the handful of early believers in Australia and New Zealand, and later in the Pacific Islands, to arise to fulfil ambitious goals in spreading the healing message of Bahá'u'lláh and establishing the Administrative Order of the Faith.