ormed, that no decision is
procrastinated. The task summoning us to a challenge, unprecedented in its
gravity and force, is too vast and sacred, the time too short, the hour
too perilous, the workers too few, the call too insistent, the resources
too inadequate, for us to allow these precious and fleeting hours to slip
from our grasp, and to suffer the prizes within our reach to be endangered
or forfeited. So much depends upon us, so pregnant with possibilities is
the present stage in the evolution of the Plan, that great and small,
individuals, groups and Assemblies, white and colored, young and old,
neophytes and veterans, settlers, pioneers, itinerant teachers and
administrators, as isolated believers, as organizers of groups, and as
contributors to the formation of local or national Assemblies, as builders
of the Temple, as laborers on the home teaching front, or in Latin
America, or in the new transatlantic field of service--all, without
exception and in every sphere of activity, however modest, restricted, or
inconspicuous, must participate and labor, assiduously and continually,
until every ounce of our energy is spent, until, tired but blissful, our
promised harvest is brought in, and our pledge to our Beloved fully
redeemed.

However dark the outlook, however laborious the task, however strange and
inhospitable the environment, however vast the distances that must be
traversed, however scarce the amenities of life, however irksome the means
of travel, however annoying the restrictions, however listless and
confused the minds of the peoples and races contacted, however trying the
setbacks that may be suffered, we must, under no circumstances, either
falter or flinch. Our reliance on the unfailing grace of an all-loving,
all-preserving, ever-sustaining, ever-watchful Providence, must, however
much we may be buffeted by circumstances, remain unshaken until the very
end. Shall we not, when hardships seethe about us, and our hearts
momentarily quail, recall the ardent desire so poignantly voiced by
'Abdu'l-Baha in those immortal Tablets that enshrine forever His last
wishes for His chosen disciples: "Oh! that I could travel, even though on
foot and in the utmost poverty, to these regions, and, raising the call of
Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha in cities, villages, mountains, deserts and oceans,
promote the Divine teachings! This, also, I cannot do. How intensely I
deplore it! Please God, ye may achieve it."

To be privileged to