Announce to the friends that six hundred tons of stones destined for the
arcade of the Bab's Shrine, received in successive shipments to the Holy
Land, have been safely transported to its precincts despite repeated
accidents--the sinking of a lighter in the harbor and outbreak of fire in
the hold of the ship. An additional two hundred tons of material including
carved marble mosaic have been ordered through recent contract for
erection of parapet designed to crown the columns and arches of the
arcade. North and east sides of structure with three corners virtually
completed. Construction of cornice and roof, last stage in erection of the
arcade, will soon be undertaken. Majesty and beauty of the colonnade
enveloping the central holy edifice built by 'Abdu'l-Baha's hands steadily
unfolding, presaging revelation of the full glory of the completed
Sepulcher manifesting the plenitude of the splendor of the constructed
dome.
[November 13, 1949]