February 8, 1933 Translation of Baha’u’llah & the New Era into Burmese
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to write you this short note to enclose a check for thirty pounds.
This is his contribution towards the publication of the translation of Dr. Esslemont’s book into Burmese which has been made by Sayed Mustafa Rumi. Please inform the latter about its receipt because he has asked the Guardian to send this contribution through you and he may be anxious to receive this news.
He was very glad to learn that the Burmese translation has been completed and that it is now in the hands of the printers.
Now the translation into Burmese and Gujrati have been completed and the latter is even printed and circulated the Guardian feels we should concentrate upon the Hindi and Urdu translations. We should not permit so much unnecessary delay. If one way seems closed or difficult we could try another and strive for the speedy completion of those books. The more we see the crying need of the world for the spiritual teachings of our Faith the more restless we should feel in giving out the Message and improving the means of diffusing the precepts of the Cause.
In his moments of prayers at the Blessed Shrines the Guardian will think of you and ask God to guide and sustain your efforts. He knows fully how difficult it is these days to bring a task to a speedy and successful conclusion, but to a person who is determined and lays his trust in God nothing is impossible.
I rejoice to hear of the steps that are being taken for the printing of the Burmese edition of the ‘New Era’ but deplore the delay in the translation of the book into Hindi and Urdu. The Gujrati copies have already been placed in the library of the Mansion at Bahji, and I long with all my heart to witness these remaining translations in their final and printed form, side by side with the nineteen printed versions which have already been collected and distributed throughout the world. I would urge you to concentrate your energy on this important and essential preliminary to an intensive campaign of teaching among the masses in India. Persevere and rest assured that my prayers will continue to be offered on your behalf.
He was very glad to receive the Gujrati translation of Dr. Esslemont’s book, and he hopes that through your efforts the Hindi and Urdu translation of it will soon be ready for publication. As you may know, this work has already been translated into 19 different languages and its rendering into 11 others will be soon completed. This is really encouraging.