when I
learned that you were well safe and happy, content and determined,
untiring in your labours and hopeful of the future!

That my sudden withdrawal from the field of active service would leave you
undeterred in your activities, would never damp your tender hopes nor
shake your resolution to stand firmly for the Cause, I never doubted as I
knew well the indelible marks of loyalty and steadfastness which the words
of our beloved Master have wrought in your lives. I am equally certain
that now when we join hands again in carrying the Cause of God a stage yet
further, your assistance wholehearted as ever before will give it a fresh
impetus that will lead to the establishment of throbbing centres of
spiritual activity in those outlying regions of the world.

Japan, a land so richly endowed, so alert and progressive, so quick in its
grasp of realities of life, is now the recipient of a Divine Bestowal,
greater, richer and more enduring than any material gift she has ever
enjoyed in modern times. What blissful thought to remember that you are
the chosen ones that shall establish the Kingdom of God in that land; that
you are the pioneers of a Work that will endure and supersede all the
other achievements, however meritorious and brilliant, of your
fellow-countrymen for Japan.

I pray that your vision of the vast opportunities that are yours may never
be dimmed; that your efforts to realize that vision may never slacken and
that the gracious aid of Baha'u'llah may never be withheld from you all
through your sacred mission in this world.

And now in conclusion, let us not forget those ringing words of the
Beloved, uttered with such force and emphasis:--"The Fire of the Love of
God shall assuredly set Japan afire!" and let us arise, now at this
moment, with increased and renewed confidence in His Sayings that we may
assure and hasten the advent of so glorious an era in the history of that
ancient land.

With my best wishes to every one of you
I am your brother and fellow-worker,
Shoghi

(December 17, 1922)

[Letter of May 10, 1923]

The beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful in Japan: Susumu
Aibara, E. Tanakamuru, Y.S. Lo, K.C. Ling, N. Yawata, Y. Ishigumo, H.C.
Waung, M. Hataya, E. Noguchi, F. Takahashi, Ida Finch, Agnes Alexander, K.
Sawada, Kenjiro Ono, Tokujiro Torii.

Dearest brethren and sisters in Baha'u'llah!

The most welcome letter of our dearly beloved Baha'i sister, Miss Agnes
Al