herance of
any particular plan, or the devising of any special scheme, or the
accumulation of any amount of material resources, can prepare them for the
time when the Hand of Destiny will have directed them to assist in
creating and in bringing into operation that World Order which is now
incubating within the worldwide administrative institutions of their
Faith.

In the conduct of this twofold crusade the valiant warriors struggling in
the name and for the Cause of Baha'u'llah must, of necessity, encounter
stiff resistance, and suffer many a setback. Their own instincts, no less
than the fury of conservative forces, the opposition of vested interests,
and the objections of a corrupt and pleasure-seeking generation, must be
reckoned with, resolutely resisted, and completely overcome. As their
defensive measures for the impending struggle are organized and extended,
storms of abuse and ridicule, and campaigns of condemnation and
misrepresentation, may be unloosed against them. Their Faith, they may
soon find, has been assaulted, their motives misconstrued, their aims
defamed, their aspirations derided, their institutions scorned, their
influence belittled, their authority undermined, and their Cause, at
times, deserted by a few who will either be incapable of appreciating the
nature of their ideals, or unwilling to bear the brunt of the mounting
criticisms which such a contest is sure to involve. "Because of
'Abdu'l-Baha," the beloved Master has prophesied, "many a test will be
visited upon you. Troubles will befall you, and suffering afflict you."

Let not, however, the invincible army of Baha'u'llah, who in the West, and
at one of its potential storm centers is to fight, in His name and for His
sake, one of its fiercest and most glorious battles, be afraid of any
criticism that might be directed against it. Let it not be deterred by any
condemnation with which the tongue of the slanderer may seek to debase its
motives. Let it not recoil before the threatening advance of the forces of
fanaticism, of orthodoxy, of corruption, and of prejudice that may be
leagued against it. The voice of criticism is a voice that indirectly
reinforces the proclamation of its Cause. Unpopularity but serves to throw
into greater relief the contrast between it and its adversaries, while
ostracism is itself the magnetic power that must eventually win over to
its camp the most vociferous and inveterate amongst its foes. Already in
the land wh