ength
and breadth of the Western Hemisphere. The second century is destined to
witness a tremendous deployment and a notable consolidation of the forces
working towards the world-wide development of that Order, as well as the
first stirrings of that World Order, of which the present Administrative
System is at once the precursor, the nucleus and pattern--an Order which,
as it slowly crystallizes and radiates its benign influence over the
entire planet, will proclaim at once the coming of age of the whole human
race, as well as the maturity of the Faith itself, the progenitor of that
Order. As the Plan bequeathed by 'Abdu'l-Baha unfolds, through successive
decades of the present century, its measureless potentialities, and
gathers within the field of its operations nation after nation in
successive continents of the globe, it will be increasingly recognized not
only as the most potent agency for the development of the world
Administrative System, but also as a primary factor in the birth and
efflorescence of the World Order itself in both the East and the West.

The first Seven Year Plan, ushered in on the eve of the greatest conflict
that has ever shaken the human race, has, despite six years of chaos and
tribulation, been crowned with a success far exceeding the most sanguine
hopes of its ardent promoters. Within so short a period, during such
troublous years, such exploits were achieved as will forever illuminate
the pages of Baha'i history. The exterior ornamentation of the House of
Worship was completed sixteen months before the appointed time. The
administrative basis of the Faith was laid in every virgin state and
province of the North American continent. The number of Spiritual
Assemblies in the United States and Canada was almost doubled. No less
than fourteen Republics of Latin America were provided with such
Assemblies. Active groups began to function in the remaining Republics,
raising thereby the number of sovereign states within the pale of the
Faith to sixty. Extension work in which the newly constituted Assemblies
were vigorously participating was initiated. Two of the newly fledged
Assemblies in Latin America, as well as a considerable number in the
United States, were incorporated. An International School to provide
training for Baha'i teachers in Central and South America was founded.
Considerable literature in Spanish and Portuguese was disseminated.
Newspaper and radio publicity, teacher training cour