entury of the Baha'i Era is drawing to a close, be prosecuted with
unremitting energy, and unshaken determination. The vastness of the field,
the smallness of your numbers, the indifference of the masses, must
neither discourage nor appal you. You should at all times fix your gaze on
the promise of Baha'u'llah, put your whole trust in His creative Word,
recall the past and manifold evidences of His all-encompassing and
resistless power and arise to become worthy and exemplary recipients of
His all-sustaining grace and blessings. I appeal to every Indian and
Burmese believer, however modest his position, however limited his
knowledge, however restricted his means, to rise to the height of this
great opportunity which if missed will not recur again. To disperse, to
settle, to teach by word and deed, to persevere and sacrifice are the
requirements of the present hour. May the Almighty, Whose Cause you are
labouring to advance, endow you and your fellow-workers with all the
wisdom, the strength, and guidance that you need to acquit yourselves
worthily of this task.

June 29, 1941

Shoghi Effendi was also very happy to hear from you that you consider the
Faith is making substantial progress in India, due to the tireless and
devoted efforts of our Baha'i brothers and sisters in that land. He would,
however, urge the friends to follow the example of the American believers
by sending out more pioneers to work in territories where there are no
Baha'is. This is in accordance with the idea expressed by the beloved
Master in the "Divine Plan" Tablets, and should be followed by all
Baha'is.

The Guardian will pray for the success of the Summer School to be held in
Surat. He is delighted that the Indian friends are so well organised and
are, year by year, strengthening the administrative institutions of their
Faith.

[From the Guardian:]

I am eagerly and hopefully awaiting to witness fresh evidences of the
renewed determination of the believers throughout India and Burma, to
carry aloft and into virgin territories the torch of Divine Guidance
despite the dark clouds that threaten on the horizon. In these days of
stress and peril, every effort expended, every victory achieved, every
sacrifice made, will be rewarded a hundredfold. I will pray earnestly and
continually that the friends may evince such zeal and perseverance as to
ensure the complete success of the Six-Year Plan which they, of their own
accord, have so splendidly i