Rejoice to share with Baha'i communities East and West thrilling reports
of feats achieved by the heroic band of Baha'i pioneers laboring in divers
widely scattered African territories, particularly in Uganda, in the heart
of the continent, reminiscent alike of episodes related in the Book of
Acts and the rapid, dramatic propagation of the Faith through the
instrumentality of the dawn-breakers in the Heroic Age of the Baha'i
Dispensation. The marvelous accomplishments signalizing the rise and
establishment of the Administrative Order of the Faith in Latin America
have been eclipsed. The exploits immortalizing the recently launched
crusade in the European continent have been surpassed. The goal of the
seven-month plan, initiated by the Kampala Assembly, aiming at doubling
the twelve enrolled believers, has been outstripped. The number of
Africans converted in the course of the last fifteen months, residing in
Kampala and outlying districts, with Protestant, Catholic and pagan
backgrounds, lettered and unlettered, of both sexes, representative of no
less than sixteen tribes, has passed the two hundred mark.
The effulgent rays of God's triumphant Cause, radiating from the focal
center, are fast awakening the continent and penetrating at an
accelerating rate isolated regions unfrequented by white men and
enveloping with their radiance souls hitherto indifferent to the
persistent humanitarian activities of the Christian missions and the
civilizing influence of the civil authorities. No less than nine
localities will be qualified to attain, by this coming Ridvan, assembly
status within a single territory of the long-slumbering continent.
Zanzibar, Madagascar, French Morocco, South Rhodesia, Italian Somaliland
are already or soon will be opened to the Faith.
Desire to pay special tribute to the strenuous efforts exerted by 'Ali
Na_kh_javani, setting an example of dedication and freedom from prejudice
to fellow pioneers laboring in inhospitable surroundings and confronted by
manifold and formidable obstacles.
Planning to entrust to the special representative delegated to attend the
approaching Kampala Conference a portrait of the holy Bab, a replica of
the one deposited beneath the dome of the Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar in
Wilmette, to be exhibited to the assembled attendants on the historic
occasion. Confident unveiling may draw newly recruited vanguard of the
ever-swelling host of Baha'u'llah, as well as all participating visitors,
itinerant teachers and settlers, closer to the spirit of the
Martyr-Prophet of the Faith and bestow everlasting benediction on all
gathered at the memorable sessions of the epoch-making Intercontinental
Conference dedicated to the prosecution of the latest, most glorious
crusade launched in the course of eleven decades of Baha'i history.
[January 5, 1953]