and effectively championed the cause of the persecuted and
the down-trodden, and so generously contributed to their relief in the
past, is now four and a half million dollars. The number of American
Indian tribes with which contact has been established in the Western
Hemisphere--an achievement in which the members of this Community have
played a leading role--is now over forty-five. No less than eighteen
American Indian tribes are now represented in the Baha'i communities of
that same hemisphere, mainly as a result of the assiduous endeavors
exerted by the members of this Community. The number of territories,
federal districts and states where official authorization for the conduct
of Baha'i marriages has been obtained is now twenty-eight, whilst the
number of localities, in that same country, where the Baha'i Holy Days are
officially recognized is one short of forty.

IN THE AFRICAN CONTINENT

In the African continent, where the momentum gained in the process of
propagation of the Faith and the consolidation of its newly-born
administrative institutions has exceeded the rate of progress achieved in
every other continent of the globe, and particularly since the emergence,
a year ago, of three regional spiritual assemblies, the number of the
adherents of the Faith, including those in the newly-opened islands off
the eastern and western coasts of that vast continent, is now well over
thirty-five hundred, over three thousand of whom are Negroes. The number
of localities where the followers of Baha'u'llah reside is over five
hundred and fifty. The number of tribes represented in these flourishing
communities has reached one hundred and ninety-seven. The number of
languages into which Baha'i literature has been and is being translated is
over seventy, whilst the number of local spiritual assemblies,
constituting the bedrock of a solidly established Order, is approaching
one hundred and fifty.

IN THE PACIFIC AREA

In the Pacific area, where Baha'i exploits bid fair to outshine the feats
achieved in any other ocean, and indeed in every continent of the globe,
now competing for the palm of victory with the African continent itself,
preliminary measures have been undertaken for the formation of no less
than three of the thirteen national and regional spiritual assemblies
which are to be established in the course of this year's Ridvan
festivities. These three assemblies, the seats of which are to be located