y advancing, fully dedicated American Baha'i
Community has had in the prosecution and triumphant progress of the three
year old Ten-Year Plan, and augur well for a no less splendid contribution
to be made, in the years immediately ahead, for the attainment of its
remaining objectives.

FRUITFUL EFFORTS OF HANDS OF THE CAUSE

Supplementing this noble record of service have been the constant and
fruitful efforts exerted by the Hands of the Cause, nominated from among
the members of that community, in both the United States and the Holy
Land, efforts that have lent a considerable impetus to the expansion and
consolidation of the far-reaching enterprises initiated at the World
Center of the Faith, and which have, particularly through the
instrumentality of the recently appointed American Auxiliary Board,
stimulated, to a noticeable extent the progress of the teaching work and
the advancement of the Plan itself.

STUPENDOUS WORK ACHIEVED BY MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL BAHA'I COUNCIL

Particular tribute should, I feel, at this juncture, be paid to the
stupendous work achieved, since the launching of the World Crusade, by the
representatives of this highly privileged community, in their capacity as
members of the International Baha'i Council, in connection with the
prosecution of a variety of enterprises embarked upon in recent years,
aiming at the expansion and consolidation of the international
institutions of the Faith, the enhancement of its prestige, the
embellishment of the surroundings of its Shrines, the efficient conduct of
its internal affairs, and the forging of fresh links binding it still more
closely to the civil authorities in the Holy Land. The erection of the
International Archives in the close neighborhood of the Bab's holy
Sepulcher; the extension of the international Baha'i endowments on the
slopes of Mt. Carmel; the formation of several Israel Branches of Baha'i
National Spiritual Assemblies; the embellishment of the precincts of the
resting-place of both the Bab and Baha'u'llah; the purchase of the site of
the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of the Holy Land; the preparation of the
designs for the International Baha'i Archives on Mt. Carmel; and of the
Mother Temples of Persia and of Africa; the inauguration of the
preliminary steps for the eventual construction of Baha'u'llah's holy
Sepulcher; the measures adopted, with the assistance of various officials
of the State of Israel, for t