in the Qur'an: 'One grain will bring forth seven
sheaves, and every sheaf shall contain one hundred grains.' In other
words, one grain will become seven hundred; and if God so wills He will
double these also. It has often happened that one blessed soul has become
the cause of the guidance of a nation. Now we must not consider our
ability and capacity, nay rather we must fix our gaze upon the favors and
bounties of God, in these days, Who has made of the drop a sea, and of the
atom a sun." Let those who resolve to be the first to hoist the standard
of such a Cause, under such conditions, and in such territories, nourish
their souls with the sustaining power of these words, and, "putting on the
armor of His love," a love which must "wax stronger" as they persevere in
their lonesome task, arise to adorn with the tale of their deeds the most
brilliant pages ever written in their country's spiritual history.

"Although," 'Abdu'l-Baha, in the Tablets of the Divine Plan, has written,
"in most of the states and cities of the United States, praise be to God,
His fragrances are diffused, and souls unnumbered are turning their faces
and advancing toward the Kingdom of God, yet in some of the states the
Standard of Unity is not yet upraised as it should be, nor are the
mysteries of the Holy Books, such as the Bible, the Gospel, and the
Qur'an, unraveled. Through the concerted efforts of all the friends the
Standard of Unity must needs be unfurled in those states, and the Divine
teachings promoted, so that these states may also receive their portion of
the heavenly bestowals and a share of the Most Great Guidance." "The
future of the Dominion of Canada," He, in another Tablet of the Divine
Plan, has asserted, "is very great, and the events connected with it
infinitely glorious. The eye of God's loving-kindness will be turned
towards it, and it shall become the manifestation of the favors of the
All-Glorious." "Again I repeat," He, in that same Tablet reaffirms His
previous statement, "that the future of Canada, whether from a material or
a spiritual standpoint, is very great."

No sooner is this initial step taken, involving as it does the formation
of at least one nucleus in each of these virgin states and provinces in
the North American continent, than the machinery for a tremendous
intensification of Baha'i concerted effort must be set in motion, the
purpose of which should be the reinforcement of the noble exertions which
only