I need hardly tell you how grateful and gratified I felt
when I heard the news of the actual formation of a National Council whose main
object is to guide, co-ordinate and harmonise the various activities of the
friends, and when I learned of its satisfactory composition, its harmonious
procedure and the splendid work it is achieving.
My earnest prayer is that the blessing of the Almighty may
rest upon all its deliberations, that it may be divinely guided, inspired in
its work, may smooth speedily and definitely all differences that may arise,
may promote the all-important work of Teaching, may widen the sphere of its
correspondence and exchange of news with the distant parts of the Bahá'í world,
may secure through its publications a dignified and proper presentation of the
Cause to the enlightened public, and may in every other respect prove itself
capable of distinct and worthy achievements.
(Shoghi Effendi, excerpt from a
letter dated 16 December 1922 to Baha’is in Great Britain; 'The Unfolding
Destiny of the British Baha’i Community')
[1 Dr. Esselmont and E. T. Hall were "chosen" to
represent Bournemouth and Manchester respectively and they met with seven
others representing "The London Groups" to form the first
"All-England Bahá'í Council" which met at the London home of Mrs.
Thornburgh-Cropper 6 June, 1922. Mr. G. P. Simpson was elected Chairman.]