I would also earnestly entreat all the delegates at this coming
Convention, and through them I appeal to the larger body of believers whom
they represent, to ever bear in mind the supreme injunction of
'Abdu'l-Baha, to teach unceasingly until the "head cornerstone of the
foundation" of the Cause of God is firmly established in every heart. Let
those whose time, resources and means allow, travel throughout the length
and breadth of that vast continent, let them scatter to the most distant
regions of the earth and, fired with enthusiasm and detachment, hand on
the torch of God's undying flame to the waiting multitudes of a
sadly-stricken world.
One word more in conclusion. Let the West, and particularly the Great
Republic of the New World, where a quarter of a century ago Baha'u'llah's
Banner was firmly implanted, realize that upon it now rests the
responsibility of achieving the universal recognition of the Baha'i Faith,
of fulfilling 'Abdu'l-Baha's fondest hopes.
Persia, the cradle of an unfolding world civilization, is still bereft of
her freedom, sunk in ignorance, a prey to contending policies and
factions, beset on one hand by the powers of orthodoxy and sectarian
fanaticism and assailed on the other by the forces of materialism and
unbelief. In her evil plight she is radiantly confident that the Flame she
had kindled in the world will, in the fullness of time, blaze forth in the
heart of the mighty West and shed redeeming illumination upon the silent
sufferers of a distracted country. Will it be America, will it be one of
the nations of Europe, that will seize the torch of Divine Guidance from
Persia's fettered hands and with it set the western world aflame? May your
Convention, by its spirit, its resolutions and its accomplishments, give
to that country's urgent call a noble and decisive answer.
Your brother and fellow-worker,
SHOGHI.
Haifa, Palestine,
June 3rd, 1925.
Letter of October 24th, 1925.
To the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the
United States and Canada.
My well-beloved friends:
The numerous communications which your distinguished Secretary has lately
addressed on your behalf to the Greatest Holy Leaf and myself, have been
eagerly perused and their contents carefully noted. The news they imparted
and the spirit they revealed have caused us both genuine satisfaction, and
have served to intensify the feelings of joyous confidence, of pride and
gratitude with which we have greeted the inauguration of your term of
service.
The notable advance achieved by this year's memorable Convention is, I am
certain, attributable in no small measure to the energy, the thoroughness,
the insight and the loving-kindness that have characterized in an
unprecedented degree the activities of the outgoing National Spiritual
Assembly. I am confident that the work of America's newly elected
representatives, so splendidly and auspiciously begun, will further
consolidate the labors of the past, will resolve to a great extent the
problems and perplexities of the present, and open up fresh fields of
future achievements and service.
I rejoice to learn that ways and means have been found to enable the
National Secretary, who discharges in such an exemplary manner the
manifold and exacting duties of a highly responsible position, to devote
all his time to the pursuit of so meritorious a task. I am fully conscious
of the privations and sacrifice which the choice of this arduous work must
involve for him, as well as for his devoted and selfless companion; I
cannot but admire and extol their heroic efforts; and wish to assure them
both of my continued prayers for the speedy fruition of their earnest
endeavors.