The Baha'is should realize that today's intensely materialistic
civilization, alas, most perfectly exemplified by the United States, has
far exceeded the bounds of moderation, and, as Baha'u'llah has pointed out
in His Writings, civilization itself, when carried to extremes, leads to
destruction. The Canadian friends should be on their guard against this
deadly influence to which they are so constantly exposed, and which we can
see is undermining the moral strength of not only America, but indeed of
Europe and other parts of the world to which it is rapidly spreading.
The fortuitous combination of British solidity and good judgment and
American get-up-and-go and enthusiasm, which has characterized Canada,
must not be lost in the Canadian Baha'i Community. Its members must
demonstrate their outstanding abilities, and, through a greater vision,
more consecration and renewed self-sacrifice, arise and attain their
goals.
He is very happy over the work in the Pacific region in general, and was
glad to receive word recently of the formation of the Samoan Assembly, a
feat of which your Assembly can be duly proud. However, the situation in
the Marquesas needs immediate attention, and every effort should be
exerted to reinforce the work initiated there, at the cost of much
self-sacrifice, by the first pioneer(59).