Messages To Canada Part 3

FUTURE OF CANADA VERY GREAT

This community though still in its infancy, is manifesting, in the course of the first years of its existence as an independent administrative ent.i.ty, a virility, a steadfastness of purpose, a dedication to the Cause it serves, an organizing ability in the administration of its affairs that augur well for the glorious destiny disclosed by the Pen of the Author of the Divine Plan in His epoch-making Tablets. Already in the early stages of its life, when its administrative machinery was still merged with the inst.i.tutions evolved by the followers of the Faith residing in the great Republic of the West, its fame, through a series of memorable events and n.o.ble exploits that have greatly enriched the annals of the Cause of G.o.d, had spread far and wide and the shadow of its future glory had run before it to the remotest corners of the Baha'i World. For was it not 'Abdu'l-Baha's own pen which, as far back as the dark years of the First World War, had forecast the splendor of the memorable achievements which, spiritually and materially, would distinguish and illuminate its annals in the years to come? "The future of the Dominion of Canada ... is very great and the events connected with it infinitely glorious... Again I repeat that the future of Canada is very great, whether from a material or a spiritual standpoint."(13)

IMPERISHABLE RECORD OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

It was a Canadian(14), of French extraction, who through his vision and skill was instrumental in conceiving the design, and delineating the features, of the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of the West, marking the first attempt, however rudimentary, to express the beauty which Baha'i art will, in its plenitude, unfold to the eyes of the world. It was a Canadian woman(15), one of the n.o.blest in the ranks of Baha'i pioneers, who alone and single-handed, forsook her home, settled among an alien people, braved with a leonine spirit the risks and dangers of the world conflict that raged around her, and who now, at an advanced age and suffering from infirmities, is still holding the Fort and is setting an example, worthy of emulation by all her fellow pioneers of both the East and the West. It was a member(16) of that same community who won the immortal distinction of being called upon to be my helpmate, my s.h.i.+eld in warding off the darts of Covenant-breakers and my tireless collaborator in the arduous tasks I shoulder. It was a Canadian subject(17), the spiritual mother of that same community, who, though fully aware of the risks of the voyage she was undertaking, journeyed as far as the capital of Argentina to serve a Cause that had honoured her so uniquely, and there laid down her life and won the everlasting crown of martyrdom. It was, moreover, a Canadian(18) who more recently achieved the immortal renown of designing the exquisite sh.e.l.l destined to envelop, preserve and embellish the holy and priceless structure enshrining the dust of the Beloved Founder of our Faith.

A community which, in the course of less than fifty years, has to its credit such an imperishable record of international service, and standing now on the threshold of a new epoch in its evolution, recognized as a self-governing member of the family of Baha'i national communities, functioning according to a Plan of its own conceived for its orderly and efficient development, must, if it is to maintain the standard of excellence it has already attained, display on a still wider front, and continue to demonstrate, a no less profound spirit of dedication, as it forges ahead, in the years to come, along the road laid down for it by the Centre of the Covenant Himself in His historic Tablets.

CO-HEIR OF THE TABLETS OF THE DIVINE PLAN

As co-partner with the American Baha'i Community in the execution of the Divine Plan, it must evince in both the administrative and pioneer fields, a heroism that may be truly worthy of its high calling. In the remote and inhospitable regions of the North, amidst the Eskimos of Greenland and the Indians of the Dominion of Canada; throughout the Provinces of a far flung territory where newly fledged a.s.semblies, and nuclei of future Baha'i inst.i.tutions in the form of groups and isolated centres, lie scattered; in its relations.h.i.+ps and negotiations with the local, provincial and national representatives of civil authority in issues affecting matters of personal status and the independence of the Faith and the establishment of its endowments; in its contact with the ma.s.ses and in its effort to publicize the Faith, enhance its prestige and disseminate its literature, this community, so young, so vibrant with life, so laden with blessings, so rich in promise, must rise to such heights, achieve such fame as shall eclipse the radiance of its past administrative and pioneer achievements.

Then and only then, will this community acquire the spiritual potentialities that will enable it to discharge, as befits a co-heir of the Tablets of the Divine Plan, the tremendous responsibilities, and fulfil the functions, devolving upon it beyond the oceans, and in all the continents of the globe.

May this community, the leaven placed by the hands of Providence in the midst of a people belonging to a nation, likewise young, dynamic, richly endowed with material resources, and a.s.sured of a great material prosperity by 'Abdu'l-Baha, play its part not only in lending a notable impetus to the world-wide propagation of the Faith it has espoused, but contribute, as its resources multiply and as it gains in stature, to the spiritualization and material progress of the nation of which it forms so vital a part.

SHOGHI.

Letter of October 30, 1951

October 30, 1951.

National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Canada.

Your letters ... have been received, with enclosures, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

The Administrative Order is not a governmental or civic body, it is to regulate and guide the internal affairs of the Baha'i community; consequently it works, according to its own procedure, best suited to its needs. A Baha'i who does more than visit temporarily a community is considered for our administrative purposes as a resident and can vote and serve accordingly. Students in foreign lands, most obviously not residents, are registered as local Baha'is, and therefore ent.i.tled to do their share of work and play their part in the local community life. This should be pointed out to ... who seem to be confusing our internal administration with external practices which have no relation to it. As regards their personal att.i.tudes the Guardian, remembering what a devoted worker ... has been in the past, is very sorry to see she is no longer active. He does not feel this will lead to either her happiness or that of ...; for, whenever we compromise with what is n.o.blest and best in ourselves, we are the losers invariably.

The Guardian was delighted to hear the friends are at last responding to the urgent needs of the Plan and going forth as pioneers. Plans are concrete things, and not mere honors, and victories-like all other achievements in life-must be purchased at the cost of persistent efforts!

He feels sure the Canadian Baha'is, perhaps slow to get under way, will display the counterpart of this British characteristic, and cling like bull dogs to their tasks, once they do get under way.

PIONEER TO GREENLAND

The departure of Mr. Bond(19) for the Arctic made the Guardian very happy; this, as well as the sailing of Mr. Bischoff(20) for Greenland, mark the opening stage of the campaign to carry the Faith to the Eskimos, a plan set forth by 'Abdu'l-Baha and very dear to His heart.

Encouraging as these steps are, they do not take care of the main body of the work-the establishment of new a.s.semblies and groups. In order to accomplish this the entire Canadian Community will have to rise to a new level of activity, consciousness, and sacrifice, just as did the British Baha'i Community during their Six Year Plan. Their success is perhaps one of the most remarkable ever achieved in the Baha'i World because they were few in number, run down in health from the long years of suffering during the war, and poor in financial resources. Their determination, dedication and moral stamina, however, carried them through, and Baha'u'llah gave them the victory. He will give the same victory to everyone who shows the same characteristics. Success breeds success, and this same Community, now rightfully proud and conscious of its importance, is carrying on its African work in a brilliant manner. The Canadian Baha'is, more prosperous, less restricted, and equally capable, can accomplish just as much if they unitedly determine to do so.

The response made by the Canadian friends to the Guardian's appeal for support of the Shrine work has touched him very much. He wishes to thank all those who contributed for their loving generosity, and to a.s.sure them that their cooperation in this wonderful task has added to the spiritual beauty of an Edifice already so Holy and so beloved by all the believers the world over.

He wishes you all every success in the discharge of your arduous duties, and is praying for a marked quickening in the pace of the Five Year Plan.

With Baha'i love, R. RABBANI.

CRITICAL FINAL PHASE OF FIVE YEAR PLAN

Dear and Valued Co-workers:

The Plan on which the attention of the Canadian Baha'i Community is focused and upon the success of which must depend its immediate destinies, is now entering a critical stage, demanding increasing vigilance on the part of all of its members, utter consecration to the Plan's objectives, and a determined, inflexible resolve to carry it to a successful conclusion.

Little over a year separates this valiant community, still in the earliest stage of its independent existence, from the fateful hour that will mark the termination of the first collective enterprise undertaken in its history. The vastness of the field in which its infant strength is being tested is indeed staggering. The resources it can command are severely limited. The number of active partic.i.p.ators, whether as pioneers or administrators, is admittedly small. The experience of the vast majority of its supporters is inadequate to the tremendous obligations it has a.s.sumed. The obstacles confronting it whether in Greenland, or among the Indians and the Eskimos of the extreme North, are truly formidable. Yet the potency infused into this community, through the Revelation of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Divine Plan, and the spiritual capacity engendered in its earliest members through His visit to their native land-distinctions which it fully shares with its sister community in the Great Republic of the West-empower it to discharge-if it but rise to the occasion-all the responsibilities it has undertaken and consummate the task to which it stands pledged.

The eyes of the Baha'i World are expectantly turned towards this newly erected pillar, designed to sustain in conjunction with other National a.s.semblies the weight of the Supreme Legislative Body of the World Order of Baha'u'llah. Sister communities in both the East and the West, less privileged than it and deprived of the primacy with which the twin Baha'i national communities labouring in the North American continent have been invested by the unerring Pen of the Centre of Baha'u'llah's Covenant, yet able to achieve, under circ.u.mstances no less challenging, a success wholly out of proportion to their numbers, are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this initial crusade embarked upon by this blessed, this envied community in conformity with the Mandate issued by 'Abdu'l-Baha in His immortal Tablets(21). He Himself Who nourished and watched over it with such loving care from the earliest days of its inception, Who, in unmistakable language and on more than one occasion, foreshadowed its glorious future, both materially and spiritually, is from His station on high, gazing down upon the youthful efforts exerted by a community so dear to His heart, so newly launched upon a course which He Himself has charted.

This final phase of the first Plan, undertaken by a newly fledged, repeatedly blessed community, as it speeds to a close, must witness an upsurge of spirit, of courage and determination, a display of activity, a demonstration of self-sacrifice, and of solidarity such as to eclipse its brightest achievements in the past. The highly meritorious tasks initiated in both Greenland and Newfoundland need not be enlarged at the present hour, but should, under no circ.u.mstances, be allowed to suffer any setback. The work started among the Eskimos and Indians should be maintained at its present level, and should not be permitted to decline.

An extraordinary concentration of effort, systematic, determined and sustained, is however required throughout all the nine Provinces of the Dominion, aiming at an unprecedented flow of contributions by the entire body of the believers, each according to his or her means, into the National Treasury; a marked increase in the number of pioneers; a much greater dispersion; a higher degree of austerity; a still n.o.bler display of consecration-all of which must result in a speedy multiplication of a.s.semblies and groups, which const.i.tutes the core of the Plan, and on which hinges its fortunes.

UNUTTERABLY PRECIOUS OPPORTUNITY

The fleeting months ahead will be truly decisive. Upon the success of the present Plan must depend, not only the joint tribute to be paid by the Canadian Baha'i Community to the memory of the Founder of the Faith on the occasion of the centenary of the Birth of His Revelation, but also the rapid unfoldment of subsequent stages of the Mission which the Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha so clearly, and emphatically ent.i.tle it to fulfil.

The opportunity given to this community is precious, unutterably precious.

The fate of this first historic Plan now hangs in the balance. The present chance, if lost, cannot be retrieved. The issues on which hinge the successful prosecution of the Plan are so weighty that none can a.s.sess them at present. The needs of a sorely-stricken society, groping in its distress for G.o.d's redemptive Message, are growing more acute with every pa.s.sing hour. The Canadian Baha'i Community, newly emerged as an independent member of the Baha'i World Community, so richly blessed through its elevation to the rank of a chosen prosecutor of a Divine Plan, unique, in many respects, among its sister communities in both Hemispheres in the manifold blessings bestowed upon it, can neither afford to flinch for a moment or hesitate in the discharge of its sacred duty. Every effort exerted by this community, during these fate-laden months, every sacrifice willingly endured by its members, will, if they but persevere, be richly blessed by Him Who brought it into being, Who nursed it through His love, Who conferred upon it so distinguished a Mission, Who made such magnificent promises regarding its future, and Who will continue to sustain it through His unfailing, His abounding grace and favour.

May this community, ever aware of the position it occupies, and of the bright prospects unfolding before it, brace itself for one last, supreme effort, and ensure, while there is yet time, the complete and total success of the enterprise to which it stands committed.

SHOGHI.

Letter of June 8, 1952

Haifa, Israel, June 8, 1952.

National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of Canada.

Your letters ... with their various enclosures, have been received, and the beloved Guardian has requested me to answer you on his behalf.

He was very happy to hear that the Convention had been such a success, and above all, that the delegates had realized how urgent are the teaching tasks still facing the Canadian Community. He hopes that they will carry back to their local communities a sense of this urgency, and stimulate the friends to make a heroic last effort and succeed. They say success breeds success; and there can be no doubt that, upon the accomplishment of the present goals, must depend the work in the immediate future-both the degree of spiritual help that will be vouchsafed by G.o.d, and the number of tasks that will be entrusted to the Canadian Baha'is. He feels sure that if the believers become sufficiently aroused to an awareness of the critical nature of the coming months, they will take the necessary action, however great the sacrifice involved.

CHARLOTTETOWN MUST BE MAINTAINED

As he cabled you, he feels that Charlottetown(22), representing as it does, one of the Canadian Provinces, must be maintained at any cost.