Citadel Of Faith Part 11

TEACHING IN AFRICA

Feel moved to appeal to gallant, great-hearted American Baha'i Community to arise on the eve of launching the far-reaching, historic campaign by sister Community of the British Isles to lend valued a.s.sistance to the meritorious enterprise undertaken primarily for the illumination of the tribes of East and West Africa, envisaged in the Tablets of the Center of the Covenant revealed in the darkest hour of His ministry.

I appeal particularly to its dearly beloved members belonging to the Negro race to partic.i.p.ate in the contemplated project marking a significant milestone in the world-unfoldment of the Faith, supplementing the work initiated fifty years ago on the North American continent, forging fresh links binding the American, British and Egyptian Communities and providing the prelude to the full-scale operations destined to be launched at a later period of the unfoldment of the Divine Plan aiming at the conversion of the backward, oppressed ma.s.ses of the swiftly awakening continent.

Though such partic.i.p.ation is outside the scope of the Second Seven Year Plan, I feel strongly that the a.s.sumption of this added responsibility for this distant vital field at this crucial challenging hour, when world events are moving steadily towards a climax and the Centenary of the birth of Baha'u'llah's Mission is fast approaching, will further enn.o.ble the record of the world-embracing tasks valiantly undertaken by the American Baha'i Community and const.i.tute a worthy response to 'Abdu'l-Baha's insistent call raised on behalf of the race He repeatedly blessed and loved so dearly and for whose illumination He ardently prayed and for whose future He cherished the brightest hopes.

[August 5, 1950]

COMFORTED BY MESSAGES OF DEVOTION

My anguished heart is comforted by the unnumbered messages from communities, a.s.semblies, groups, committees and individual American believers, replete with expressions of loving devotion, pledges of loyalty to 'Abdu'l-Baha's Covenant, prayers on my behalf and a.s.surances of rededication in service to the precious Faith.

The triple cord binding me to the American Community, outstanding in its affectionate and unfailing support in the course of my almost thirty years' stewards.h.i.+p to the Faith of Baha'u'llah, is greatly reinforced. But for America's mult.i.tudinous services and unparalleled record of achievements my burden of cares both past and present would be unbearable.

Far from complaining of the added weight of afflictions oppressing me at this hour I feel I cannot but welcome with feelings of thankfulness and humility such tribulations enabling me to taste the cup the Martyr-Prophet of our beloved Faith drained so heroically a hundred years ago.

Much as I desire to acknowledge separately all messages I regretfully find the task beyond the limits of my overtaxed strength. I ask, dearly beloved friends, to regard this message as addressed to each one personally, bearing to each and every one a.s.surance of my constant awareness of their enfolding love and unfailing support as well as my everlasting grat.i.tude and unalterable affection and immense pride in their unrivaled collective share in the world-wide furtherance of the Cause so dear, so precious to us all.

[September 12, 1950]

RELIEVED BY INTENSIFIED ACTIVITY

My heart is greatly relieved by the splendid, welcome evidences of the intensified activity on the home front, Europe and Latin America.

Supplicating bountiful blessings on the manifold enterprises energetically and devotedly conducted by the exemplary American Baha'i Community.

[September 19, 1950]

BADi'U'LLaH HAS MISERABLY PERISHED

Badi'u'llah, brother and chief lieutenant of archbreaker of divine Covenant, has miserably perished after sixty years' ceaseless, fruitless efforts to undermine the divinely-appointed Order, having witnessed within the last five months the deaths of his nephews Shoa and Musa, notorious standard-bearers of the rebellion a.s.sociated with the name of their perfidious father.

[November 3, 1950]

REQUIREMENTS FOR TEMPLE COMPLETION

Temple not regarded as completed until all accessories are provided, including landscape gardening. Public announcement and wors.h.i.+p must coincide with termination of plan.

[November 8, 1950]

SUMMER SCHOOLS TO REOPEN

Owing to paramount need of Shrine and Temple, advise that you postpone publication of magazine until 1953. Summer schools may be reopened.

[December 8, 1950 (Excerpt)]

a.s.sISTANCE TO EPOCH-MAKING ENTERPRISE IN AFRICA

a.s.sistance to Africa project through financial contribution, partic.i.p.ation of pioneers white and colored, and close consultation and cooperation with British a.s.sembly necessary. Independent campaign not intended. Fervently praying the partic.i.p.ation of British, American, Persian, and Egyptian National a.s.semblies in unique, epoch-making enterprise in African continent may prove prelude to convocation of first African Teaching Conference leading eventually to initiation of undertakings involving collaboration among all national a.s.semblies of Baha'i world, thereby paving way to ultimate organic union of these a.s.semblies through formation of International House of Justice destined to launch enterprises embracing whole Baha'i world. Acclaim simultaneous inauguration of crusade linking administrative machinery of four national a.s.semblies of East and West within four continents and birth of first International Council at World Center of Faith, twin evidences of resistless unfoldment of embryonic, divinely appointed World Order of Baha'u'llah.

[January 17, 1951]

STATUS OF BAHa'iS REGARDING MILITARY DUTY

No change whatsoever in status of Baha'is in relation to active military duty. No compromise of spiritual principles of Faith possible, however tense the situation, however aroused public opinion.

[January 17, 1951]