Messages to America Part 2

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE UNDERTAKING

I cannot allow this communication to be sent without adding a few words in person and stress afresh the significance of the undertaking in which the entire Baha'i community has embarked. The promulgation of the Divine Plan, unveiled by our departed Master in the darkest days of one of the severest ordeals which humanity has ever experienced, is the key which Providence has placed in the hands of the American believers whereby to unlock the doors leading them to fulfil their unimaginably glorious Destiny. As the proclamation of the Message reverberates throughout the land, as its resistless march gathers momentum, as the field of its operation widens, and the numbers of its upholders and champions multiply, its potentialities will correspondingly unfold, exerting a most beneficent influence not only on every community throughout the Baha'i world, but on the immediate fortunes of a travailing society. The repercussions of this campaign are already apparent in Europe, India, Egypt, 'Iraq and even among the sore-tried communities in Persia and Russia. The Faith of G.o.d is gaining in stature, effectiveness and power. Not until, however, the great enterprise which you are now conducting runs its full course and attains its final objective, at its appointed time, can its world-encompa.s.sing benefits be fully apprehended or revealed. The perseverance of the American believers will, no doubt, insure the ultimate realization of these benefits.

November 14, 1936

A COMPLETE REDEDICATION

The progress of the teaching campaign is most remarkable and rea.s.suring: the uninterrupted prosecution of this holy enterprise and its extension to the South American continent and the islands of the Pacific will no doubt attract unimaginable blessings and must entail far-reaching consequences.

In the course of this year, when the American believers are commemorating the 25th anniversary of 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit to America, a mighty impetus should be lent to this campaign which you have so splendidly initiated. A complete rededication to its ideals, its purposes and requirements on the part of all individuals and a.s.semblies, can alone befit such a nation-wide celebration. I pray that you may fulfil your high destiny.

March 22, 1937

INSt.i.tUTION OF GUARDIANs.h.i.+P NOW FURTHER REINFORCED

Deeply moved by your message. Inst.i.tution of Guardians.h.i.+p, head cornerstone of the Administrative Order of the Cause of Baha'u'llah, already enn.o.bled through its organic connection with the Persons of Twin Founders of the Baha'i Faith, is now further reinforced through direct a.s.sociation with West and particularly with the American believers, whose spiritual destiny is to usher in the World Order of Baha'u'llah. For my part I desire to congratulate community of American believers on acquisition of tie vitally binding them to so weighty an organ of their Faith.

Cablegram March 30, 1937

DUAL GIFT

Message to 1937 Convention

Dual gift providentially conferred upon American Baha'i community invests recipients with dual responsibility fulfil historic mission. First, prosecute uninterruptedly teaching campaign inaugurated at last Convention in accordance with Divine Plan. Second, resume with inflexible determination exterior ornamentation of entire structure of Temple. Advise ponder message conveyed to delegates through esteemed co-worker, Fred Schopflocher. No triumph can more befittingly signalize termination of first century of Baha'i era than accomplishment of this twofold task.

Advise prolongation of Convention sessions to enable delegates consult National a.s.sembly to formulate feasible Seven Year Plan to a.s.sure success Temple enterprise. No sacrifice too great for community so abundantly blessed, so repeatedly honored.

Cablegram May 1, 1937

THE CALL HAS GONE FORTH ... THE PATH IS CLEAR

The responsibilities which, under your direction and in response to my plea, the American community is now a.s.suming, over and above the task they have already undertaken in connection with the Divine Plan, proclaiming in unmistakable terms their unswerving determination to prove themselves worthy of the sublimity of their mission, and of their privileged position among their sister communities in both the East and the West,-the twofold task they have arisen to perform will, if carried out in time, release the potentialities with which the community of the Greatest Name has been so generously and mysteriously endowed by 'Abdu'l-Baha. To carry out in its entirety and to its final consummation this dual enterprise would shed on the closing years of this first century of the Baha'i Era a l.u.s.ter no less brilliant than the immortal deeds which have signalized its birth, in the heroic age of our Faith. To the American believers, the spiritual descendants of the heroes of G.o.d's Cause, I again address my plea to arise as one soul and to prosecute with unrelaxing resolve the high mission with which their immediate destiny is inextricably interwoven. The call has gone forth, the path is clear, the goal manifest and within their reach.

Though their responsibilities be pressing and heavy and the obstacles formidable and manifold, yet the spirit of our invincible Faith will enable them to conquer if they arise unitedly and determinedly and persevere till the very end.

June 4, 1937

CONVENTION DELEGATES INCREASED

Election of hundred seventy-one delegates for this year's and future Conventions absolutely essential. Admitted expansion American community vitally demands it. Appeal delegates unable attend in person exercise conscientiously ballot right by mail. Increased partic.i.p.ation by believers in Convention proceedings reinforces authority and broadens basis body national representatives and knits them closer to entire body electorate.

Advise share message American believers.

Cablegram November 21, 1937

ALL SHOULD ARISE

As I lift up my gaze beyond the strains and stresses which a struggling Faith must necessarily experience, and view the wider scene which the indomitable will of the American Baha'i community is steadily unfolding, I can not but marvel at the range which the driving force of their ceaseless labors has acquired and the heights which the sublimity of their faith has attained. The outposts of a Faith, already persecuted in both Europe and Asia, are in the American continent steadily advancing, the visible symbols of its undoubted sovereignty are receiving fresh l.u.s.ter every day and its manifold inst.i.tutions are driving their roots deeper and deeper into its soil. Blest and honored as none among its sister communities has been in recent years, preserved through the inscrutable dispensations of Divine Providence for a destiny which no mind can as yet imagine, such a community cannot for a moment afford to be content with or rest on the laurels it has so deservedly won. It must go on, continually go on, exploring fresh fields, scaling n.o.bler heights, laying firmer foundations, shedding added splendor and achieving added renown in the service and for the glory of the Cause of Baha'u'llah. The seven year plan which it has sponsored and with which its destiny is so closely interwoven, must at all costs be prosecuted with increasing force and added consecration. All should arise and partic.i.p.ate. Upon the measure of such a partic.i.p.ation will no doubt depend the welfare and progress of those distant communities which are now battling for their emanc.i.p.ation. To such a priceless privilege the inheritors of the s.h.i.+ning grace of Baha'u'llah cannot surely be indifferent. The American believers must gird up the loins of endeavor and step into the arena of service with such heroism as shall astound the entire Baha'i world. Let them be a.s.sured that my prayers will continue to be offered on their behalf.

November 25, 1937

ARCHBREAKER OF COVENANT

The Hand of Omnipotence has removed the archbreaker of Baha'u'llah's Covenant, his hopes shattered, his plottings frustrated, the society of his fellow-conspirators extinguished. G.o.d's triumphant Faith forges on, its unity unimpaired, its purpose unsullied, its stability unshaken. Such a death calls for neither exultation nor recrimination, but evokes overwhelming pity at so tragic a downfall unparalleled in religious history.

Cablegram December 20, 1937

CERTAIN VITAL REQUIREMENTS OF SEVEN YEAR PLAN