DUAL GIFT

Message to 1937 Convention

Dual gift providentially conferred upon American Baha'i community invests
recipients with dual responsibility fulfil historic mission. First,
prosecute uninterruptedly teaching campaign inaugurated at last Convention
in accordance with Divine Plan. Second, resume with inflexible
determination exterior ornamentation of entire structure of Temple. Advise
ponder message conveyed to delegates through esteemed co-worker, Fred
Schopflocher. No triumph can more befittingly signalize termination of
first century of Baha'i era than accomplishment of this twofold task.
Advise prolongation of Convention sessions to enable delegates consult
National Assembly to formulate feasible Seven Year Plan to assure success
Temple enterprise. No sacrifice too great for community so abundantly
blessed, so repeatedly honored.

Cablegram May 1, 1937

THE CALL HAS GONE FORTH ... THE PATH IS CLEAR

The responsibilities which, under your direction and in response to my
plea, the American community is now assuming, over and above the task they
have already undertaken in connection with the Divine Plan, proclaiming in
unmistakable terms their unswerving determination to prove themselves
worthy of the sublimity of their mission, and of their privileged position
among their sister communities in both the East and the West,--the twofold
task they have arisen to perform will, if carried out in time, release the
potentialities with which the community of the Greatest Name has been so
generously and mysteriously endowed by 'Abdu'l-Baha. To carry out in its
entirety and to its final consummation this dual enterprise would shed on
the closing years of this first century of the Baha'i Era a luster no less
brilliant than the immortal deeds which have signalized its birth, in the
heroic age of our Faith. To the American believers, the spiritual
descendants of the heroes of God's Cause, I again address my plea to arise
as one soul and to prosecute with unrelaxing resolve the high mission with
which their immediate destiny is inextricably interwoven. The call has
gone forth, the path is clear, the goal manifest and within their reach.
Though their responsibilities be pressing and heavy and the obstacles
formidable and manifold, yet the spirit of our invincible Faith will
enable them to conquer if they arise unitedly and determinedly and
persevere till the very end.

June 4, 1937

CONVENTION