members of this determined, this valiant, this watchful, this exemplary
community only the future can reveal. That the trials and afflictions
suffered by their country and its people must wax as this world upheaval
moves towards a climax no one can any longer doubt. The challenge that
will face this stalwart community will no doubt be severe. To allow the
prizes so nobly won, over so vast a field, at so great a cost, at so
critical an hour, to fall into jeopardy would be unworthy of a career so
auspiciously initiated, so completely dedicated to the Cause of God, so
rich in promise and so brilliant in almost every phase of its evolution.
Every local Assembly, the ordained pivot of a divinely-ordained System,
which has been established in the States and Provinces of the North
American continent, as well as in the Republics of Latin America, must,
through a supreme effort on the part of pioneers, visiting teachers and
Regional Committees, be steadfastly maintained. Simultaneously a no less
determined effort should be exerted to enable the admittedly large number
of groups scattered throughout the Americas to attain Assembly status. No
less urgent is the obligation to proclaim the verities enshrined in the
Faith of Baha'u'llah by every means which individuals, Assemblies and
committees can devise, through the press and radio, through an
unprecedented dissemination of literature, through its systematic
translation into Spanish and Portuguese and above all through active
association with leaders of public thought as well as direct contact with
the masses of the people. Through such means as these, and through such
means only can the members of the American Baha'i Community, who have so
audaciously and successfully launched the first stage of the Divine Plan,
be enabled to pave the way and usher in, soon after the cessation of
hostilities, the succeeding stage in the evolution of their world mission.
My prayers and loving thoughts surround them continually in their devoted
labors.
December 24, 1944
THE ADMISSION OF PERSIANS
I desire to reiterate the warning that no Persian, student or otherwise,
must be admitted into the community under any circumstances unless
provided with full credentials. Exception and compromise would be
detrimental to the vital interests of the Faith at the present juncture.
The utmost caution and vigilance is imperative.
January 20, 1945
STAUNCH PIONEER
Deeply grieve passing of indefatigable, staunch pioneer (i.e., Miss Mary
Lesch) of the Faith in the Day of the Covenant. The record of her services
imperishable, her reward great in the Abha Kingdom.
Cablegram, March 27, 1945
THE ONE MESSAGE THAT CAN EXTRICATE HUMANITY
The Divine Plan conceived by 'Abdu'l-Baha for the American Baha'i
community, in the midst of one of the darkest periods in human history and
with which the destinies of the followers of Baha'u'llah in the North
American continent must for generations to come remain inextricably
interwoven, has, during the concluding years of the first Baha'i Century,
triumphantly emerged from the first stage of its evolution. Its
initiation, officially and on a vast scale, had, for well nigh twenty
years, been held in abeyance, while the processes of a slowly emerging
administrative Order, were, under the unerring guidance of Providence,
creating and perfecting the agencies for its efficient and systematic
prosecution. The next stage in the evolution of the Plan cannot, however,
be embarked upon, until the external causes, hampering its further
unfoldment in other continents of the globe, are removed through the
cessation of hostilities and the signal victories already won through its
initial development are sufficiently consolidated throughout the Western
Hemisphere. The tasks confronting those who have so valiantly and
brilliantly inaugurated the first stage in the execution of the Great
Design unfolded by 'Abdu'l-Baha for the promulgation of the Faith of His
Father, during this transitional period, are manifold, exacting, urgent,
and sacred. The local administrative units, so laboriously constituted
throughout the Americas, must needs, as already pointed out and repeatedly
stressed, be maintained, reinforced, closely integrated and their number
steadily multiplied. The spirit that has inflamed the pioneers who have
set the seal of triumph on the Seven Year Plan, must under the vigilant
care of the National representatives of the American Baha'i community be
constantly watched, kept alive and nourished. The literature of the Faith,
particularly in Spanish and Portuguese, must be widely disseminated in
both Central and South America, as a necessary adjunct to the systematic
consolidation of the work that has been undertaken. Above all, the healing
Message of Baha'u'llah must during the opening years of the second Baha'i
Century, and through the instrumentality of an already properly
functioning Administrative Order, whose ramifications have been extended
to the four corners of the Western Hemisphere, be vividly, systematically
brought to the attention of the masses, in their hour of grief, misery and
confusion. A more audacious assertion of the challenging verities of the
Faith; a more convincing presentation of its distinguishing truths; a
fuller exposition of the character, the aims and the achievements of its
rising Administrative system as the nucleus and pattern of its future
world-embracing order; a more direct and intimate contact and association
with the leaders of public thought, whose activities and aims are akin to
the teachings of Baha'u'llah, for the purpose of demonstrating the
universality, the comprehensiveness, the liberality and the dynamic power
of His Divine Message; a closer scrutiny of the ways and means whereby its
claims can be vindicated, its defamers and detractors silenced, and its
institutions safeguarded; a more determined effort to exploit, to the
fullest extent possible, the talents and abilities of the rank and file of
the believers for the purpose of achieving these ends--these stand out as
the paramount tasks summoning to a challenge, during these years of
transition and turmoil, the entire body of the American believers. The
facilities which the radio and press furnish must be utilized to a degree
unprecedented in American Baha'i history. The combined resources of the
much-envied exemplary American Baha'i community must be harnessed for the
effectual promotion of these meritorious purposes. Blessings undreamt of
in their scope and plenteousness, are bound to be vouchsafed to those who
will, in these dark yet pregnant times, arise to further these noble ends
and to hasten through their acts the hour at which a still more momentous
stage in the evolution of a Divine and worldwide Plan can be launched.
There is no time to lose. The hour is ripe for the proclamation, without
fear, without reserve, and without hesitation, and on a scale never as yet
undertaken, of the One Message that can alone extricate humanity from the
morass into which it is steadily sinking, and from which they who claim to
be the followers of the Most Great Name can and will eventually rescue it.
The sooner they who labor for the recognition and triumph of His Faith in
the new world arise to carry out these inescapable duties, the sooner will
the hopes, the aims and objectives of 'Abdu'l-Baha as enshrined in His own
Plan, be translated from the realm of vision to the plane of actuality and
manifest the full force of the potentialities with which they have been
endued.
March 29, 1945
MY HEAVY-LADENED HEART
My heavy ladened heart, already oppressed by repeated defections of the
unworthy kindred of the beloved Master, is relieved by latest signal
evidence of the indomitable spirit of the members of divinely chosen
American Baha'i community now unfurling the banner of the Faith and
establishing the structural basis of its administrative order in the
world's southernmost city. I hail the staunchness and fidelity
distinguishing the winners of such superb victories. I acclaim them true
brothers and sisters worthy of the name 'Abdu'l-Baha. I urge the
Inter-America Committee to devote special attention and undertake prompt
measures designed to increase the number of believers, establish local
administrative headquarters, and multiply the subsidiary agencies
indispensable to the maintenance of a flourishing community in the
southern extremity of the western hemisphere. Praying ever increasing
successes.
Cablegram April 21, 1945
NATIONWIDE, INTERCONTINENTAL PLANS
Assure newly-elected members of my fervent prayers for divine guidance and
strength to accomplish the tasks confronting the American Baha'i community
in the second year of the second Baha'i century. I appeal to National
Teaching, Regional and Inter-America Committees to intensify efforts for
multiplication of groups and Assemblies the length and breadth of the
western hemisphere. An ever-increasing flow of pioneers is indispensable
to meet the urgent requirements of the present hour. Renewed, determined,
continued exertions by individuals aimed at an unprecedented increase in
the number of enrolled believers is vital to the consolidation of
activities undertaken by pioneers. Systematic, well-conceived, carefully
coordinated plans, nationwide and intercontinental, devised by elected
national representatives of the community, are likewise a necessary
preliminary to a seed-sowing unexampled both in range and effectiveness in
American Baha'i history. The attainment of this threefold objective in
North, Central and South America will signalize the initiation, in other
continents, of the world mission constituting the sacred birthright of the
American followers of the Faith of Baha'u'llah.
Cablegram May 8, 1945
A SINGLE, ORGANICALLY-UNITED WORLD COMMONWEALTH
The followers of Baha'u'llah throughout five continents unanimously
rejoice in the partial emergence of a war-torn humanity from the titanic
upheaval unerringly predicted seventy years ago by the Pen of the Author
of their Faith. The cessation of hostilities in the European continent
signalizes yet another chapter in the tragic tale of fiery trials
providentially decreed by inscrutable wisdom designed ultimately to weld
the mutually antagonistic elements of human society into a single,
organically-united, unshatterable world commonwealth. They gratefully
acclaim the signal evidence of the interposition of divine Providence
which during such perilous years enabled the World Center of our Faith to
escape what posterity will recognize as one of the gravest dangers which
ever confronted the nerve center of its institutions. They are profoundly
aware of the bountiful grace vouchsafed by that same Providence insuring,
unlike the previous world conflict, uninterrupted intercourse between the
spiritual Center and the vast majority of the communities functioning
within the orbit of a far-flung Faith. They are immeasurably thankful for
the miraculous preservation of the Indian, Persian, Egyptian, British and
Iraqi communities, long threatened by dire perils owing to their proximity
to the theatre of military operations. They are deeply conscious that the
progress achieved, despite six tempestuous years, in both the Eastern and
Western Hemispheres, through the collective enterprises launched by these
communities, outshines the sum total of the accomplishments since the
inception of the Formative Age of the Faith.
The Seven Year Plan inaugurated by the American Baha'i community under the
lowering clouds of the approaching conflict victoriously completed the
exterior ornamentation of the Mother Temple of the West, established the
structural basis of the Faith in every State and Province of the North
American continent, and hoisted its banner in every Republic of Latin
America. The Indian believers' Six Year Plan, launched on the eve of
hostilities, more than quadrupled the centers functioning within the pale
of the Administrative Order. The edifices consecrated to the
administrative affairs of an ever-advancing Cause, involving the
expenditure of over a hundred thousand dollars, were erected, purchased or
completed in the Capital Cities of India, 'Iraq and Egypt as well as
Sydney, Australia. The acquisition of numerous properties in Baha'u'llah's
native land, on Mount Carmel and in the Jordan Valley, as well as the
purchase of several important historic sites associated with the Lives of
both the Herald and the Author of the Faith, swelled to an unprecedented
degree our Baha'i endowments.
Preliminary steps for the completion of the Bab's Sepulchre and the
establishment of the World Administrative Center through the removal of
the Remains of the Brother and Mother of 'Abdu'l-Baha were undertaken. The
termination of the First Century of the Baha'i Era, synchronizing with the
climax of the raging storm, was publicly and befittingly celebrated,
despite the multiplication of restrictions. Above all, the unity and
integrity of an incorruptible world community was consistently safeguarded
in face of the insidious opposition of avowed enemies without and the
Covenant-breakers within.
Such splendid victories, over so vast a field, amidst such tribulations
during so prolonged an ordeal, augur well for the colossal tasks destined
to be accomplished during the course of the peaceful years ahead by the
builders of the embryonic World Order of Baha'u'llah amidst the wreckage
of a disrupted, disillusioned society.
Cablegram May 12, 1945
A NEW PHASE OF HUMAN EVOLUTION
The cessation of hostilities on the continent of Europe, the prospect of
an early termination of the bloody conflict raging in the Far East, invest
the members of the world Baha'i community, and particularly its
standard-bearers in the great Republic of the West, with a great, a
unique, and inescapable responsibility. The first stage of the mission
laid upon them by 'Abdu'l-Baha, the inauguration of which has been so long
retarded while the processes of a slowly emerging administrative order
were being set in motion, and which coincided with one of the darkest and
most tragic periods in human history, has been brought to a triumphant
conclusion, and added a golden page to the annals of the closing years of
the first Baha'i century.
As a new phase in the painful evolution of a sorely-tried and wayward
humanity opens, a new challenge summons the prosecutors of a Divine Plan
to gird up their loins, muster their resources, and prepare themselves for
the launching of the second stage of an enterprise which, as it reveals
its full potentialities, must stretch to embrace the five continents of
the globe. World turmoil, grave dangers, severe restrictions, the lethargy
of the public engrossed in its war problems, have failed to dampen the
zeal, or to undermine the resolve, or to interfere with the successful
discharge of the duty assumed by those who have so determinedly embarked
on the opening stage of their world encircling, divinely appointed
mission. With the return to more normal conditions, with the improvement
of the means of travel and communication, with the lifting of the
deadening weight of fear and care and the growing receptivity of the
masses schooled in adversity and groping for the means of ultimate
salvation, opportunities without number and unprecedented in their
significance, present themselves to those whose privilege and obligation
it is to pave the way for the launching of the succeeding stage of their
historic and ever unfolding task.
Not until, however, normal conditions are fully restored and the world
situation is stabilized, and, above all, the prizes won through the
operation of the Seven Year Plan are adequately safeguarded and the basis
of the newly established Administrative Order sufficiently consolidated
throughout the Western Hemisphere, can the ambassadors of the Faith of
Baha'u'llah, carrying aloft the banner of His Name in the American
continent, be called upon to undertake unitedly and systematically,
collective responsibility for the diffusion of His Message, and for the
erection of the fabric of His Administrative Order, amidst the
sorrow-stricken, war-lacerated, sorely bewildered nations and peoples of
the European continent.
The sooner the home tasks are fully discharged and newly fledged
Assemblies in Central and South America enabled to function adequately and
vigorously, the sooner will the stalwart members of the American Baha'i
community, who, during so brief a period, and despite the prevailing
darkness, achieved such wonders throughout the Americas, extend the
healing influence of their Faith, on a scale as yet unprecedented, to the
waiting masses of that agitated continent.
As already observed, an intensification of effort is imperatively required
aiming at a bolder proclamation of the verities of a God-given Faith, at a
systematic and continent-wide dissemination of its authentic literature,
at a closer contact with the masses as well as the leaders of public
thought, at a further consolidation and multiplication of the
administrative centers scattered throughout the new world, and
constituting the nuclei of its future World Order, and, above all, at a
more convincing revelation of Baha'i love, unity, solidarity and
self-sacrifice, which alone can hasten the consummation of the preliminary
undertakings required to terminate the period of transition intervening
between the first and second stages of the greatest crusade ever launched
in the history of the Faith of Baha'u'llah.
Time is pressing, the work that still remains to be accomplished in the
new world is vast and urgent, the need of the suffering masses the world
over, and particularly in Europe, is pitiable, the sustaining grace
destined to be vouchsafed from on high to those who will arise to achieve
that task and fulfill this need is boundless and assured. Its potency has
been already fully experienced, and abundantly demonstrated in the years
that have witnessed the most prodigious efforts exerted by the American
believers. A still more powerful display of its miraculous force can be
confidently anticipated, if those who have felt its impact in the past
arise to carry out, in the years that lie immediately ahead, the sublime
and twofold task of the redemption of mankind and the establishment of the
world sovereignty of Baha'u'llah.
Cablegram August 10, 1945
HEARTS UPLIFTED IN THANKSGIVING
Our hearts are uplifted in thanksgiving for complete cessation of the
prolonged, unprecedented world conflict. I hail the prospects of the
removal of the restrictions enabling American Baha'i Community to expedite
the preliminary measures required to launch the second stage of the Divine
Plan. I appeal focus attention upon the requirements of the all-important
Latin American work. The adequate fulfillment of this vital task preludes
the assumption of collective responsibility by triumphant community of the
spiritual enlightenment and ultimate redemption of sorely-tried,
war-ravaged European continent, destined to be associated with exploits
which must immortalize the second stage of the World Mission entrusted by
'Abdu'l-Baha to the apostles of His Father's Faith in the western world.
The opportunities of the present hour are infinitely precious, the time is
pressing, the call of the distressed, groping peoples of Europe pitiful,
insistent. The work still to be accomplished to consummate the mighty
enterprise undertaken in Latin America is considerable. The Almighty's
sustaining grace is assured, unfailing. I am praying from the depths of a
joyful, thankful heart for the outpouring of blessings no less remarkable
than the divine bounties vouchsafed unto the valiant prosecutors of the
Plan in the course of the opening phase of their World Mission.
Cablegram August 20, 1945
THE WORK OF REHABILITATION
The reports recently received from various sources, regarding the sad
conditions prevailing among the members of the sorely-stricken,
long-suffering Baha'i communities in Germany and Burma, are of such a
distressing nature as to merit the energetic, the immediate, and
collective intervention of their fellow-workers in lands which have
providentially been spared the horrors of invasion and all the evils and
miseries attendant upon it. Upon the American Baha'i community, in
particular, which throughout this prolonged and bloody conflict, has of
all its sister communities in East and West, enjoyed the greatest immunity
and been privileged not only to maintain and preserve its institutions,
but to prosecute so successfully a Plan of such magnitude and
significance, a special responsibility now rests--a responsibility which,
despite its manifold and pressing duties in the Western Hemisphere, it can
neither afford to neglect nor ignore.
Particularly in the heart of the European continent, where the present
turmoil, suffering and destitution are mysteriously paving the way for the
revival of a Faith which the Beloved Himself has unequivocally prophesied,
where a once flourishing community is struggling to fulfil the high hopes
entertained for it by Him, and where the prosecutors of the Divine Plan,
are to lend their direct and systematic assistance when launching the
second stage of their world mission, must the American believers
contribute the major share in the work of rehabilitation which the
followers of Baha'u'llah must arise to perform.
Through the extension of whatever financial assistance is feasible,
through the provision and distribution of adequate literature, through the
initiation of any measures, official or otherwise, which they can
undertake for the protection, reinstatement and revival of a
greatly-tested, highly promising and much loved community, the American
believers have the golden opportunity of adding a fresh chapter to the
brilliant record of their past international services to the Cause of God.
Nor should the urgency of the task in far-away Burma, where a flourishing
community had furnished so shining an example of Baha'i fellowship and
solidarity, be underestimated. The spirit which its remnant has displayed
after so many years of persecution, dispersion and danger, merits the
widest measure of encouragement and support, both moral and financial.
Pressed as the American Baha'i community must be by the twofold obligation
of proclaiming the verities of their Faith to the American public and of
consolidating the vast enterprises initiated throughout Latin America, the
stalwart and privileged followers of the Faith of Baha'u'llah in North
America cannot allow so great an opportunity to advance the vital
international interests of His Cause to slip from their grasp. I feel
confident that in the discharge of this additional task they will exhibit
those same traits that have distinguished their stewardship for so many
years to so glorious a Cause.
December 21, 1945
THE GERMAN BAHA'I COMMUNITY
The German Baha'i community, dearly beloved, highly honored by
'Abdu'l-Baha, and destined to play an outstanding role in the spiritual
revival of an oppressed continent, has abundantly demonstrated in the
course of ten years of severest tribulations, dire peril and complete
suppression, the high character of its indomitable faith. I appeal to the
entire community of the greatly blessed, highly privileged American
believers, to arise unitedly and contribute generously through dispatch of
funds and literature designed to alleviate the distress and rehabilitate
the institutions with which the future prosecutors of the second stage of
the Divine Plan must be closely associated.
Cablegram December 31, 1945
EXEMPLARY PIONEER
Deeply grieve passing of exemplary pioneer of the Faith, Emogene Hoagg.
Her long record of national and international services is unforgettable,
her reward in the Abha Kingdom assured and abundant.
Cablegram December 31, 1945
LYDIA ZAMENHOF