, spiritually depleted continent of globe. Prayerfully awaiting
response by all ranks of community to supreme call to fuller participation
in glorious enterprise.

[January 30, 1947]

CONSOLIDATION IN EUROPE

Overjoyed, grateful, proud of notable expansion of manifold activities in
three continents. Vital significance of preeminent objective in European
continent cannot be overemphasized. Intense, sustained, self-sacrificing
efforts aimed at rapid consolidation of American Community's recently
initiated fate-laden transatlantic enterprise are urgent, imperative,
highly meritorious. Praying for such demonstration of heroism as will
outshine exploits illuminating pages of American Baha'i history in
continents of Western Hemisphere.

[March 24, 1947]

PARTICIPATION IN SECOND SEVEN YEAR PLAN
[MESSAGE TO 1947 CONVENTION]

My heart is filled with delight, wonder, pride and gratitude in
contemplation of the peace-time exploits, in both hemispheres, of the
world community of the followers of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, triumphantly
emerging from the crucible of global war and moving irresistibly into the
second epoch of the Formative Age of the Baha'i Dispensation.

The opening years of the second century of the Baha'i Era, synchronizing
with concluding stage of the memorable quarter-century elapsed since the
termination of the Heroic Age of the Faith, have been distinguished by a
compelling demonstration by the entire body of believers, headed by the
valorous American Baha'i Community, of solidarity, resolve and
self-sacrifice as well as by a magnificent record of systematic,
world-wide achievements.

The three years since the celebration of the Centenary have been
characterized by a simultaneous process of internal consolidation and
steady enlargement of the orbit of a fast-evolving Administrative Order.

These years witnessed, first, the astounding resurgence of a
war-devastated Baha'i community of Central Europe, the rehabilitation of
the communities in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and the Far East;
second, the inauguration of a new Seven Year Plan by the American Baha'i
Community destined to culminate with the Centenary of the Birth of
Baha'u'llah's Prophetic Mission, aiming at the formation of three national
assemblies in Latin America and the Dominion of Canada, at completion of
the holiest House of Worship in the Baha'i world, and at the erection of
the structure of the Administrative