Dear Bahá'í friends,
The advent and liberal supply of tape and cassette recorders
in the markets of the world have opened new doors and placed in almost every
land at the disposal of the friends new methods for the dissemination of Bahá'í
material. It is the hope of the Universal House of Justice that the recording
of Bahá'í talks, and other audio features, and their wide use among Bahá'ís and
non-Bahá'ís alike, will prove to be a powerful new instrument in the teaching
and deepening work everywhere. There is one area, however, where great care
must be exercised, and this is in the use of the record of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's
voice.
The Guardian, when referring to this record, requested the
friends "to exercise restraint and caution." "In my view,"
he added, "it should be used only on special occasions and be listened to
with the utmost reverence. The dignity of the Cause, I am sure, would suffer
from too wide and indiscriminate use of one of the most precious relics of our
departed Master."
We request you to share the contents of this letter, in any
manner you deem advisable, with the friends residing under your jurisdiction.
We are confident that all the friends will strictly observe the Guardian's
exhortation and will not overstep the bounds of courtesy and moderation in the
use of a precious relic so lovingly left to us by the Centre of God's Covenant.
With loving Bahá'í greetings,
The Universal House of Justice
('Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986')
