ories where its banner is still unraised and which constitute
an integral part of the territories of the British Crown beyond the
confines of that community's homeland.

To the races and tribes inhabiting these territories throughout the vast
African Continent 'Abdu'l-Baha when His life was in imminent danger,
specifically referred in a Tablet, addressed by Him to the cousin of the
Bab and chief builder of the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of the Baha'i
world, in which He predicts, in moving terms, the awakening of the peoples
of that dark continent and the ultimate triumph of His Father's Faith
among its backward peoples as well as among the great masses inhabiting
China and India.

To the accomplishment of the initial stages of this colossal task,
envisaged by our beloved Master, the Baha'i community of the British
Isles, now greatly reinforced, resting on a far broader foundation,
galvanised into action, qualified through its initial signal victory in
its homeland--the base of its future operations overseas, is now summoned
to direct its attention and its energies.

While, in the current and two succeeding years which separate us from the
celebration of the centenary of the birth of Baha'u'llah's prophetic
mission, close and sustained attention should be directed by the elected
representatives, as well as by the rank and file, of that community
towards the safeguarding of the prizes won throughout the length and
breadth of the British Isles, and the consolidation of the newly born
institutions, the preliminary steps, constituting the prelude to this
prodigious systemic labour and soul-thrilling enterprise, destined to
extend its ramifications, in the years that lie ahead, to the fringe and
within the very heart of a vast continent, must be carefully and
prayerfully taken.

Though the members of this community are still restricted in number,
though its resources are as yet meagre, though its recent victories are as
yet unconsolidated, though it has hardly recuperated from its recent
labours, undertaken during a period of great national exhaustion and
severe austerity, the mere act of launching upon so glorious, so fateful
an enterprise, will, of necessity, create at this propitious hour the
receptivity which will enable a swiftly marching, stout-hearted, virile
community, now standing on the threshold of its mission beyond the seas,
to attract a fresh measure of celestial potency adequate to its growing
needs and it