enounced
as a direct violation of the precepts and principles of Islam. It has even
been authoritatively stated that the decencies of public interment have
been refused to their dead, and that in a particular case every effort to
induce the Muslim undertaker to provide the wood for the construction of
the coffin, failed to secure the official support of the authorities
concerned. Every appeal made by these Baha'is on behalf of their brethren,
whether living or dead, has been met with cold indifference, with vague
promises, and, not infrequently, with severe rebuke and undeserved
chastisement.

The tale of such outrageous conduct, such widespread suffering and loss,
if properly expressed and broadcast, cannot fail in the end to arouse the
conscience of civilized mankind, and thereby secure the much-needed relief
for a long-suffering people. I would, therefore, renew my plea, and
request you most earnestly to redouble your efforts in the wide field of
publicity, to devise every possible means that will alleviate the fears
and sorrows of the silent sufferers in that distracted country. Surely
these vile wrong-doers cannot long remain unpunished for their ferocious
atrocities, and the day may not be far distant when we shall witness, as
we have observed elsewhere, the promised signs of Divine Retribution
avenging the blood of the slaughtered servants of Baha'u'llah.

Plan of Unified Action

In connection with the Plan of Unified Action, enclosed in your letter of
January 19th, I feel that the friends must be constantly reminded of the
vital necessity for a continuous and whole-hearted support of the scheme,
the success or failure of which will to a marked extent affect the course
of the progress of the Cause not only in Northern America but throughout
the Baha'i world. Let the friends recall and ever bear in mind the
repeated exhortations and glowing promises of our beloved Master with
reference to the Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar, the crowning institution in every
Baha'i community. Let them arise with determination and confidence to lend
a helping hand to the Plan which you have so admirably devised for its
speedy and practical realization. Theirs is a splendid opportunity; let
their response to your call be prompt, whole-hearted and decisive.

I have specially requested that indefatigable pioneer of the Cause of God,
our well-beloved Baha'i sister, Mrs. Victoria Bedekian, to concentrate for
the present all the resourc