completion of exterior of the House of Worship, Mother Temple of the West.
Baha'u'llah's high behest, enshrined in His Most Holy Book, has been
brilliantly executed. The thirty-five year old enterprise, initiated on
same day that the Bab's sacred remains were transferred to Mount Carmel,
has been triumphantly consummated. The unique Edifice, singled out for
consecration by the hands of 'Abdu'l-Baha, has been nobly reared. The
Greatest Holy Leaf's last ardent wish has been befittingly fulfilled. The
Concourse on high is jubilant. Myself bow head in joyous, reverent
recognition of prodigious accomplishment which deserves to rank among the
outstanding enterprises launched in the Heroic Age and the most signal
victory won since the inception of the Formative Period of the Baha'i
Dispensation.
Cablegram January 18, 1943
HIS SERVICES UNFORGETTABLE
Assure relatives of Mathew Kaszab of my heartfelt condolences and profound
sympathy for the loss of this heroic pioneer. His services are
unforgettable and abundantly rewarded. Loving prayers.
Cablegram January 18, 1943
ALL-AMERICA CENTENNIAL CONVENTION
Message to 1943 Convention
I desire to announce to the elected representatives of the valiant,
blessed, triumphant American Baha'i Community assembled beneath the dome
of the recently completed Mother Temple of the West on the occasion of the
Convention inaugurating the hundredth year of the first Baha'i Century,
the
momentous decision to convene, in May, 1944, an All-America Centennial
Convention comprising delegates to be separately elected by each State and
Province in the North American continent, and to which every Republic of
Latin America may send one representative. All groups, all isolated
believers, as well as all local communities already possessing Assemblies,
will henceforth share in the election of Convention delegates. The
multiplication of Baha'i Centers and the remarkable increase in the number
of groups and isolated believers, prompt my decision. The historic
occasion of next year's festivities, commemorating alike the Hundredth
Anniversary of the birth of the Faith of Baha'u'llah and the Fiftieth
Anniversary of its establishment in the Western Hemisphere, and
celebrating the completion of the exterior ornamentation of the first
House of Worship in the Western World, imperatively demand it. Details of
the project have already been mailed. I congratulate the best-loved
American believers, I share their joy and wish them God-speed, confident
of still greater victories as they forge ahead in the course of the second
Baha'i Century along the path leading them to their high destiny. I hope
to forward, in time for the solemn thanksgiving service to be held in the
auditorium of the Temple on the evening of May twenty-second, at the hour
of His epoch-making Declaration, a sacred portrait of the Bab, the only
copy ever sent out from the Holy Land, to be unveiled at the dedication
ceremony and to repose for all time, together with Baha'u'llah's blessed
hair, beneath the dome of the Holy Edifice within the heart of the North
American continent.
April 14, 1943
FOUNDATION STONE LAID BY THE CENTER OF THE COVENANT
The completion of the exterior ornamentation of the Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar
in Wilmette, the most hallowed Temple ever to be erected by the followers
of Baha'u'llah, and the crowning glory of the first Baha'i century, is an
event of unique and transcendental significance. Neither the first
Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of the Baha'i world, reared in the city of
I_sh_qabad, nor any House of Worship to be raised in succeeding centuries,
can claim to possess the vast, the immeasurable potentialities with which
this Mother Temple of the West, established in the very heart of so
enviable a continent, and whose foundation stone has been laid by the hand
of the Center of the Covenant Himself, has been endowed. Conceived forty
years ago by that little band of far-sighted and resolute disciples of
'Abdu'l-Baha, members of the first Baha'i community established in the
Western Hemisphere; blessed and fostered by a vigilant Master Who directed
its course from the hour of its inception to the last days of His life;
supported by the spontaneous contributions of Baha'is poured in from the
five continents of the globe, this noble, this mighty, this magnificent
enterprise deserves to rank among the immortal epics that have adorned the
annals of the Apostolic Age of the Faith of Baha'u'llah.
The debt of gratitude owed by the entire Baha'i world to its
champion-builders is indeed immeasurable. The admiration which this
brilliant exploit has evoked in the breasts of countless followers of the
Faith in East and West knows no bounds. The creative energies its
completion must unleash are incalculable. The role it is destined to play
in hastening the emergence of the world order of Baha'u'llah, now stirring
in the womb of this travailing age, cannot as yet be fathomed. We stand
too close to so majestic, so lofty, so radiant, so symbolic a monument
raised so heroically to the glory of the Most Great Name, at so critical a
stage in human history, and at so significant a spot in a continent so
richly endowed, to be able to visualize the future glories which the
consummation of this institution, this harbinger of an as yet unborn
civilization, must in the fulness of time disclose to the eyes of all
mankind.
That so laborious, so meritorious an undertaking has been completed a year
before its appointed time is a further cause for rejoicing and gratitude,
and an added testimony to the vision, the resourcefulness, and
enterprising spirit of the American believers.
No need, however, to dwell at length on their past achievements,
remarkable and exemplary though they have been, nor is this the time to
expatiate on the superb spirit that has characterized their stewardship in
the service of the Faith of Baha'u'llah. Tasks of extreme urgency, of
great magnitude, of the utmost significance await them in this concluding
year of the first Baha'i century, and at this hour of great peril, of
stress and trial for all mankind. The sacred--the pressing, the inescapable
teaching responsibilities assumed under the Seven Year Plan must be
resolutely faced as befits those whose record has shed so brilliant a
light on the annals of the first Baha'i century. The consolidation of each
and every nucleus, formed so painstakingly in every republic of Central
and South America, the formation of a Baha'i Assembly in every virgin
State and Province in the North American Continent, call for undivided
attention, for further heroism, for a concerted, a persistent, a herculean
effort on the part of the stalwart builders of that bounteous Edifice
which posterity will recognize as the greatest shrine in the Western
world.
Nor must the elaborate preparations in connection with the forthcoming
celebration of the centenary of our glorious Faith be overlooked or
neglected, if we would befittingly consummate this first, this most
fecund, century of the Baha'i era. An unprecedented, a carefully
conceived, efficiently co-ordinated, nation-wide campaign, aiming at the
proclamation of the Message of Baha'u'llah, through speeches, articles in
the press, and radio broadcasts, should be promptly initiated and
vigorously prosecuted. The universality of the Faith, its aims and
purposes, episodes in its dramatic history, testimonials to its
transforming power, and the character and distinguishing features of its
World Order should be emphasized and explained to the general public, and
particularly to eminent friends and leaders sympathetic to its cause, who
should be approached and invited to participate in the celebrations.
Lectures, conferences, banquets, special publications should, to whatever
extent is practicable and according to the resources at the disposal of
the believers, proclaim the character of this joyous Festival. An
all-American Convention, at which representatives of Baha'i centers in
every Republic in Central and South America will be invited to
participate, and to which, for the first time, all isolated believers, all
groups, and all communities already possessing local Spiritual Assemblies
will have the right to appoint delegates and to share in the election of
the National Spiritual Assembly, will, moreover, have to be held to
commemorate this epoch-making event. A dedication ceremony, in consonance
with the solemnity of the occasion, and held beneath the dome of the
Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar, on the very day and at the very hour of the Bab's
historic Declaration, followed by a public session, consecrated to the
memory of both the Bab and 'Abdu'l-Baha, should constitute the leading
features of this historic Convention.
For it should be borne in mind that in the year 1944 we celebrate not only
the termination of the first century of the Baha'i Era, but also the
centenary of the birth of the Baha'i Dispensation, of the inception of the
Baha'i cycle, and the birth of 'Abdu'l-Baha, and commemorate as well the
fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Baha'i Faith in the
Western world.
No effort, nor any sacrifice can be deemed too great to insure the
decisive, the brilliant success of the celebrations which this historic
year, of such manifold significance, must witness. He Who in the past has,
in diverse ways and on so many occasions, graciously and unfailingly
guided, blessed and sustained the members of this privileged community
will, no doubt, continue to aid and inspire them to carry to a victorious
conclusion the unfinished tasks which still confront them, and will enable
them to crown their labors in a manner that will befit their high destiny.
March 28, 1943
BAHA'I COMMUNITIES OF EAST AND WEST
Successive reports, proclaiming the American believers' brilliant feat,
the completion of the exterior ornamentation of the Temple, their historic
exploits in the spiritual conquest of every Republic of Latin America, as
well as their impending victory to be won through the establishment of the
structural basis of the Baha'i administrative order in the Virgin States
and Provinces of North America, are thrilling the Eastern communities of
the Baha'i world with delight, with admiration and with wonder.
Ninety-five Persian families, emulating the example of the American
trail-blazers of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, have recently forsaken their
homes and followed in the footsteps of pioneers already departed from
Persia yesterday evening to hoist its banner in the adjoining territories
of Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Sulamaniyyih, Hijaz and Bahrein Island.
Local Assemblies have been founded in Kashmir Valley in the extreme north
and in Madras Presidency in the extreme south, as well as in Haydarabad,
the leading stronghold of Muslim orthodoxy in India.
The National Baha'i Administrative Headquarters of the Egyptian believers
are nearing completion. A similar institution is in process of
establishment in India's capital city, Delhi. A Guest House, adjunct to
the newly built Administrative Headquarters of the Baha'is of 'Iraq, has
been constructed.
Baha'i communities of East and West are arising in the fourth year of the
devastating conflict in the full strength of their undisruptable
solidarity, resolved to write, through immortal deeds, further glorious
pages in the last Chapter of the first Baha'i Century.
I appeal to the standard-bearers of Baha'u'llah's ever-advancing army to
safeguard the spiritual prizes already won and maintain every outpost of
the Faith established in the southern hemisphere. I entreat them to exert
still more magnificent efforts to discharge befittingly the one remaining
responsibility in the North American continent.
I am praying for the achievement of a resounding total victory in all the
Americas, thereby sealing the triumph of the first stage in the Divine
Plan for whose execution the entire machinery of the Administrative Order
was for no less than sixteen years patiently and laboriously erected.
May 27, 1943
THE CROWNING CRUSADE
The American believers' seven year enterprise consecrated to the service
of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, deriving direct inspiration from
'Abdu'l-Baha's Divine Plan, launched on the eve of the world catastrophic
conflict, recognized as the greatest collective undertaking in the annals
of the first Baha'i Century, is rapidly culminating. Their sister
communities of Persia, British Isles, Egypt, 'Iraq, India, Syria,
Australia and New Zealand marvel at the scale of the prodigious labors of
the American Baha'i community, gratefully rejoice at the accumulating
evidences of its incomparable victories and are galvanized into action,
inspired to emulate its example. The multiplication of Baha'i centers in
recent years in both East and West, the erection of administrative
headquarters, the purchase of historic sites, the settlement of virgin
areas, the migration into neighboring territories are all directly
attributable to the potent impulse communicated through the superb action
initiated and executed by the American adherents of the Faith of
Baha'u'llah. The initial stages of the momentous plan have been
brilliantly executed. The most formidable obstacles impeding its progress
have been courageously faced and progressively swept away. Its first
fruits, exemplified by the completion of the exterior ornamentation of the
Temple and the formation of a nucleus of the Faith in every Republic of
Latin America, have been triumphantly gathered. The pivotal year marking
the turning point of its fortunes has been immortalized by the
unparalleled exploit of the formation of twenty-eight Assemblies in the
States and Provinces of the North American continent. The range of its
unfinished tasks is swiftly diminishing. Total victory is within sight but
the six remaining virgin areas of Alaska, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward
Island, South Carolina, North Dakota and South Dakota, as well as the
inadequately reinforced Republics of Nicaragua, San Domingo, Paraguay,
Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru still demand the concentrated and sustained
attention of the National representatives of the American Baha'i
community, the speedy assistance of the National Teaching and
Inter-America Committees, and the systematic support of all subsidiary
agencies both regional and local. The goal cities and the far-off
Republics are calling for fresh recruits to complete the pioneer roll of
honor. Veteran believers, however brilliant their record, neophytes,
however limited their experience, are alike summoned as the final hour
approaches to rush forth in a last supreme effort to bridge the remaining
gaps in the spiritual front extending the entire length of the Western
Hemisphere. I am ardently supplicating fresh outpourings of the sustaining
grace of the Lord of Hosts to enable His stalwart warriors befittingly to
consummate the crowning crusade of the first century of the Baha'i Era.
August 2, 1943
PREPARATIONS FOR THE CENTENARY
The latest evidences of the magnificent success that has marked the
activities of the members of the American Baha'i community have been such
as to excite the brightest hopes for the victorious consummation of the
collective undertaking they have so courageously launched and have so
vigorously prosecuted in recent years. As the first Baha'i Century
approaches its end, the magnitude and quality of their achievements
acquire added significance and shed increasing luster on its annals. The
proceedings of the recently held annual Convention; the formation of
twenty-eight Assemblies in the course of the year that has just elapsed;
the splendid progress achieved in the Latin-American field of Baha'i
activity; the superb spirit evinced by the pioneers holding their lonely
posts in widely scattered areas throughout the Americas; the exemplary
attitude shown by the entire body of the faithful towards the machinations
of those who have so sedulously striven to disrupt the Faith and pervert
its purpose--these have, to a marked degree, intensified the admiration of
the Baha'i communities for those who are contributing so outstanding a
share to the enlargement of the limits, and the enhancement of the
prestige, of the Faith of Baha'u'llah. The preparations which the American
believers are undertaking for the celebration of the Centenary of the
Faith must be such as to crown with immortal glory the fifty-year long
record of their stewardship in the service of that Faith. Such a
celebration must, in its scope and magnificence, fully compensate for the
disabilities which hinder so many Baha'i communities in Europe and
elsewhere, and even in Baha'u'llah's native land, from paying a befitting
tribute to their beloved Faith at so glorious an hour in its history. The
few remaining months of this century must witness a concentration of
effort, a scale of achievement, a spirit of heroism that will outshine
even the most daring exploits that have already immortalized the Seven
Year Plan and covered with glory its valiant prosecutors. The plea I
addressed to them, at this late hour, will, I am sure, meet with a
response no less remarkable than their past reactions to the appeals I
have felt impelled to make to them ever since the inception of the Plan.
He Who, at every stage of their collective enterprise, has so abundantly
blessed them, will, no doubt, continue to vouchsafe the blessings until
the seal of unqualified victory is set upon their epoch-making task.
August 8, 1943
THE BELOVED FAITH IS SURGING FORWARD
My heart is overflowing with joyous gratitude at the magnificent advance
made in numerous spheres of Baha'i activity. The formation of an Assembly
in the few remaining areas of the North American continent, the
consolidation of the foundation of the newly-established Assemblies, and
the preservation of the status of the Baha'i centers in all Republics of
Latin America, imperatively demand vigilant care, concentrated attention
and further self-sacrifice from the vanguard of the valiant army of
Baha'u'llah. The beloved Faith is surging forward on all fronts. Its
undefeatable, stalwart supporters, both teachers and administrators, are
steeling themselves for noble tasks, braving acute dangers, sweeping away
formidable obstacles, capturing new heights, founding mighty institutions,
winning fresh recruits and confounding the schemes of insidious enemies.
The American Baha'i community must, and will at whatever cost, despite the
pressure of events and the desolating war, maintain among its sister
communities the exalted standard of stewardship incontestably set during
the concluding years of the first Baha'i Century. The confident spirit,
unfaltering resolution animating its members, their tenacious valor,
elevated loyalty, nobleness of spirit and mighty prowess, will, ere the
expiry of the century, crown with complete victory the monumental
enterprises undertaken during the course of the fifty years of its
existence.
October 5, 1943
A STILL MORE COMPELLING DISPLAY
The vigorous action promptly taken by your assembly to insure the success
of the forthcoming Centenary Celebrations is highly commendable, and
provides a fresh demonstration of the magnificent response made by the
American believers to every call demanding renewed exertion on their part
in the service of the Cause of Baha'u'llah. The progress recently achieved
in building up Spiritual Assemblies in the virgin areas of the North
American continent has been truly remarkable. To consummate so vast an
enterprise, however, a still more compelling display of the vitality of
the spirit animating the American Baha'i community is required, a still
greater concentration of effort is needed, an even more stirring evidence
of the daring boldness of its members is imperative. Whoever will arise,
in these concluding, fast-fleeting months of the last year of the first
Baha'i Century, to fill the remaining posts, and thereby set the seal of
total victory on a Plan so pregnant with promise, will earn the lasting
gratitude of the present generation of believers in both the East and the
West, will merit the acclaim of posterity, will be vouchsafed the special
benediction of the Concourse on High, and be made the recipient of the
imperishable bounties of Him Who is the Divine Author of the Plan itself.
Whoever will rush forth, at this eleventh hour, and cast his weight into
the scales, and contribute his decisive share to so gigantic, so sacred
and historic an undertaking, will have not only helped seal the triumph of
the Plan itself but will also have notably participated in the fulfillment
of what may be regarded as the crowning act of an entire century. The
opportunity that presents itself at this crucial hour is precious beyond
expression. The blessings destined to flow from a victory so near at hand
are rich beyond example. One final surge of that indomitable spirit that
has carried the American Baha'i community to such heights is all that is
required, as the first Baha'i century speeds to a close, to release the
flow of those blessings that must signalize the termination of the first,
and usher in the dawn of the second, Baha'i Century.
November 16, 1943
THE AUSPICIOUS YEAR
The auspicious year destined to witness the Centenary of the Birth of the
Faith of Baha'u'llah is brilliantly opening. The last year of the first
Baha'i Century is more than half spent. The tempo of organized, concerted
activities of the members of the worldwide Baha'i community is
correspondingly accelerating. Teaching campaigns, enterprises of
institutional significance, publicity measures, publication projects, and
celebration plans are rapidly multiplying. Inter-community competition is
steadily mounting. The world-desolating conflict, now in its fifth year,
is powerless to cloud the splendid prospect of the triumphant termination
of the first, most shining century of the Baha'i Era. Tihran reports
thirty-four Assemblies constituted, fifty-four groups reinforced,
fifty-eight new centers established. Messages from Delhi indicate that
Baha'is have established residence in over sixty localities in India and
eighteen Assemblies are already functioning. To the National Baha'i
Headquarters previously founded in Tihran, Wilmette and Ba_gh_dad, are now
added similar centers in Cairo, Delhi and Sydney, officially registered in
the names of their respective National Assemblies, and representing an
addition to Baha'i national endowments amounting to approximately eighteen
thousand pounds. The Baha'i international endowments have been further
enriched by a recent acquisition on Mount Carmel in the vicinity of the
Bab's Shrine transferred to the name of the Palestine Branch of the
American National Assembly. Twenty-five acres of land situated in the
Jordan Valley have just been dedicated to the Tomb of Baha'u'llah. The
recent acquisition of land adjacent to the site of the projected Tihran
Temple raises the holding to over three and a half million square meters.
The Seven Year Plan, providing the chief impulse to the extraordinary
expansion of these magnificent activities, must, during the remaining five
months, as befitting thanksgiving act for continued outpouring of God's
unfailing grace, surge ahead to dazzling victory surpassing our highest
expectations. The prosecution of the Plan, whose scope transcends every
other enterprise launched by Baha'i communities throughout the whole
century, must, ere the hundred years run out, culminate in one last,
supreme effort whose repercussions will resound throughout the Baha'i
world.
January 4, 1944
ADDITION TO ENDOWMENTS