The past winter and spring have been very arduous months for our beloved
Guardian and very anxious ones. As you know, he has been pressing the work
on the arcade of the Shrine of the Bab in order to have it completed by
the Centenary of His martyrdom. As the arcade which fits about and
protects the Holy Tomb, built by our beloved Master, is considerably
larger than the original edifice, it has been necessary to excavate the
mountain immediately behind the Shrine, and this very difficult work was
carried out under the close and constant supervision of the Guardian
himself in order to ensure it was accomplished safely, quickly and
economically. This absorbed, for many months, his precious time and
energies. When this was accomplished he looked forward to turning his
attention to the various National Assembly letters piled up, but,
unfortunately, Mr. Maxwell, the architect of the Shrine, became
dangerously ill at the beginning of April, and is still in hospital. His
condition was so grave that for weeks our Guardian and household were
prevented from concentrating on the many tasks waiting to be attended to
owing to the constant anxiety, the coming and going of doctors, etc. He
feels you should be informed of these facts as an explanation of the long
delay in hearing from him. Mr. Maxwell, thanks to the mercy of God and the
determination of the Guardian, is now recovering, and we hope will live to
continue his work on the Shrine.
The contributions sent by the Indian believers for the Holy Shrine were
very much appreciated. Ever since the Burmese friends contributed the
Sarcophagus for the Holy Remains, the friends in that part of the world
have been linked with this sacred enterprise. Their joy will be great
when, once the pilgrimage can be resumed, their eyes fall upon the beauty
of this Shrine.