summation.

How great the opportunity which the present hour, so dark in the fortunes
of mankind and yet so bright in the ever-unfolding history of their Faith,
offers them. How unspeakably precious the reward which they who serve it
will reap! How pitiful and urgent the need of the waiting multitudes of
these continents, summoned to sustain the initial impact of the operation
of a divinely impelled Plan which no force can resist and no power can
rival!

For what this superbly equipped community, this irresistibly advancing
army of the chosen warriors of Baha'u'llah, battling under His banner,
operating in conformity with the explicit Mandate voiced by His beloved
Son, has already achieved, over so extensive a field, in such a brief
time, at such great sacrifice, for so precious a Cause, and in the course
of such turbulent years, I cannot but feel the deepest sense of gratitude
the like of which no achievement, single or collective, rendered in any
other part of the globe, by any community associated with the Cause of the
Most Great Name has evoked. For what it will and must achieve in the
future I entertain feelings of warm expectation and serene confidence. For
it, I will continue, from the depths of a loving and grateful heart to
supplicate blessings immeasurably richer than any it has yet experienced.

[August 18, 1949]

PRAYING FOR INCREASING SUCCESS

Delighted at progress of Temple work; urge uninterrupted reinforcement of
Latin American and European enterprises through steady flow of pioneers,
continued self-sacrifice; praying for increasing success of your high
endeavors. Deepest loving appreciation.

[November 6, 1949]

MAJESTY OF THE BAB'S SHRINE UNFOLDING

Announce to the friends that six hundred tons of stones destined for the
arcade of the Bab's Shrine, received in successive shipments to the Holy
Land, have been safely transported to its precincts despite repeated
accidents--the sinking of a lighter in the harbor and outbreak of fire in
the hold of the ship. An additional two hundred tons of material including
carved marble mosaic have been ordered through recent contract for
erection of parapet designed to crown the columns and arches of the
arcade. North and east sides of structure with three corners virtually
completed. Construction of cornice and roof, last stage in erection of the
arcade, will soon be undertaken. Majesty and beauty of the colonnade
enveloping the central h