[From the Guardian:]
The task facing the members of the Indian Baha'i community in these days
of stress and trial, is urgent, vast and sacred. The responsibilities they
shoulder are growing in number and complexity. The obstacles in their path
are numerous and seemingly insurmountable. The victories, however, which
they have won during the concluding years of the first Baha'i century,
augur well for the future, and constitute only a preliminary stage in the
great work they are destined to accomplish in the years that lie ahead. A
unity that is truly unshakable, a consecration to their task which no
trial or test can impair, a resolve that no force, however inimical, can
shake, a united and systematic endeavour to proclaim and firmly establish
their Faith which enemies neither from within nor from without can
undermine--all these are vitally required to enable them to achieve their
high destiny. To you as their national elected representatives I desire to
appeal in particular to exercise the utmost forbearance, care and
vigilance, to exert the utmost endeavour, to deliberate, cooperate and
carry out with exemplary vigour the necessary measures which the urgency
of the task and the criticalness of the hour imperatively demand. That
their glorious mission may be crowned with signal success is the object of
my constant and fervent prayers at the holy Shrine.