A continent, occupying such a central and strategic position on the entire
planet; so rich and eventful in its history, so diversified in its
culture; from whose soil sprang both the Hellenic and Roman civilizations;
the mainspring of a civilization to some of whose features Baha'u'llah
Himself paid tribute; on whose southern shores Christendom first
established its home; along whose eastern marches the mighty forces of the
Cross and the Crescent so frequently clashed; on whose southwestern
extremity a fast evolving Islamic culture yielded its fairest fruit; in
whose heart the light of the Reformation shone so brightly, shedding its
rays as far as the outlying regions of the globe; the wellspring of
American culture; whose northern and western fringes were first warmed and
illuminated, less than a century ago, by the dawning light of the
Revelation of Baha'u'llah; in whose heart a community, so rich in promise,
was subsequently established; whose soil was later sanctified by the
twice-repeated visit of the appointed Center of His Covenant; which
witnessed, in consequence of the rise and establishment of the
Administrative Order of His Faith, the erection of two of the foremost
pillars of the future Universal House of Justice; which, in recent years,
sustained the dynamic impact of a series of national plans preparatory to
the launching of a World Spiritual Crusade--such a continent has at last at
this critical hour--this great turning-point in its fortunes--entered upon
what may well be regarded as the opening phase of a great spiritual
revival that bids fair to eclipse any period in its spiritual history.
May the elected representatives of the national Baha'i communities
entrusted with the conduct of this momentous undertaking launched on the
soil of this continent, aided by the Hands of the Cause and their
Auxiliary Board, reinforced by the local communities, the groups and
isolated believers sharing in this massive and collective enterprise, and
supported by the subsidiary agencies to be appointed for its efficient
prosecution, be graciously assisted by the Lord of Hosts to contribute, in
the years immediately ahead, through their concerted efforts and
collective achievements, in both the teaching and administrative spheres
of Baha'i activity, to the success of this glorious Crusade, and lend a
tremendous impetus to the conversion, the reconciliation and the ultimate
unification of the divers and conflicting peoples, races and classes
dwelling within the borders of a travailing, a sorely agitated, and
spiritually famished continent.
May all the privileged participators, enlisting under the banner of
Baha'u'llah for the promotion of so preeminent and meritorious a Cause, be
they from the Eastern or Western Hemisphere, of either sex, white or
colored, young or old, neophyte or veteran, whether serving in their
capacity as expounders of the teachings, or administrators, of His Faith,
as settlers or itinerant teachers, distinguish themselves by such deeds of
heroism as will rival, nay outshine, the feats accomplished nineteen
hundred years ago, by that little band of God-intoxicated disciples who,
fearlessly preaching the Gospel of a newly arisen Messiah, contributed so
decisively to the illumination, the regeneration and the advancement of
the entire European continent.
[July 1953]