_THIS

_DECISIVE

^HOUR

Messages from Shoghi Effendi

to the North American Baha⁵is

1932-1946

_Contents

Publisher's Foreword to the New Edition xiii

Foreword to the First Edition xv

i The Passing of Abu'1-Qásim Khurásání, 26 February 1932 3

Nabil's Narrative, 20 June 1932 3

Immortal Spirit, 15 July 1932 3

Evidences of Sympathy, 1 August 1932 4

United Will, Concerted Action, 27 October 1932 4

Champion-Builders of the World Order of Baha u'llah,

16 February 1933 5

Non-Participation in Political Affairs, 16 March 1933 5

Personalities Subordinated, 11 April 1933 6

Momentous Convention/

Message to 1933 Convention, 1 June 1933 6

io An Eminent Rank, 28 October 1933 6

ii Hour of Victory at Hand, 17 November 1933 7

12 Potentialities of Majestic Edifice/

Message to 1934 Convention, 2 June 1934 7

The Passing of Susan Moody, 28 October 1934 8

Unprecedented Impetus/

Message to 1935 Convention, 27 April 1935 8

The Voting Right, 28 April 1935 8

Separation from Outworn Creeds, 15 June 1935 9

The National Fund, 29 July 1935 10

A New Hour Has Struck, 25 October 1935 10

This Is Truly Providential, 10 January 1936 11

CONTENTS

20 Abdu'1-Bahá's Historic Appeal/

Message to 1936 Convention, 29 April 1936 11

21 Fresh Conquests and Unprecedented Triumphs,

30 May 1936..... 12

Intensify Teaching Work a Thousandfold, 28 July 1936 12

Call for Rededication to Fulfillment of Divine Plan,

[circa 30 July 1936] 13

24 Spiritual Descendants of the Dawn-Breakers,

[circa 29 October 1936] 13

The Significance of the Undertaking, 14 November 1936 14

A Complete Rededication, 22 March 1937 14

Institution of Guardianship Now Further Reinforced,

28 March 1937 15

The Passing of Dr. Zia Baghdad!, 11 April 1937.. 15.

Dual Gift/Message to 1937 Convention, 30 April 1937 15

The Call Has Gone Forth ... The Path Is Clear, 4 June 1937 16

Impassioned Plea, [circa 4 August 1937] 17

The Passing of Alfred Lunt, 16 August 1937 17

Convention Delegates Increased, 19 November 1937 18

All Should Arise, 25 November 1937 18

Archbreaker of Covenant, 18 December 1937 , 19

Certain Vital Requirements of Seven Year Plan,

30 January 1938 19

A Year Has Almost Elapsed, 14 April 1938 20

Draw Nigh unto Baha'u'llah/

Message to 1938 Convention, 25 April 1938 21

The Passing of Munírih Khánum, 28 April 1938 22

Progressive Unfoldment of Seven Year Plan, 3 June 1938 22

4¹ Marching toward Their Goal, 5 July 1938 23

42 Unbroken Solidarity,- Unquenchable Enthusiasm,

10 September 1938 24

Loyalty to World Order of Baha'u'llah, 22 September 1938 25

American Community Summoned to New Level of Heroism,

27 November 1938 25

45 Nine Holy Souls, 24 January 1939 26

CONTENTS

46 The Rarest Privilege Ever Conferred by Providence upon

the American Bahai Community, 28 January 1939 26

God's Creative Plan, 8 February [1939] 28

Approach of Final Eruption, 22 March 1939 30

Gratitude to Pioneers, 30 March 1939 30

My Plea, My Supreme Entreaty, 17 April 1939 30

51 Penetration of Latin America/

Message to 1939 Convention, 26 April 1939 32

Message to Thirty-First Convention, 29 April 1939 32

Twofold Obligation, 3 May 1939 33

Inspiring, Significant Progress, 7 May 1939 33

That Priceless Heritage, 22 May 1939 33

Official Inauguration of World Mission, 26 May 1939 35

Fulfill the Requirements, 4 July 1939 36

The Most Fateful Hour, 28 July 1939 38

Imperiled Humanity, 28 August 1939 42

The Passing of Martha Root, 2 October 1939 42

Historic Act, 2 October 1939 43

Mandate Conferred by Abdu'1-Bahá, 23 October 1939 43

Blessed Remains Transferred to Mount Carmel,

5 December 1939 44

64 The Spiritual Potencies of That Consecrated Spot,

21 December 1939 44

Interment Beloved Remains, 26 December 1939 49

The Seal of Complete Triumph, 30 December 1939 49

Dual, Vitally Urgent Obligation, 18 January 1940 51

Dare Greatly, Toil Unremittingly, 26 February 1940 52

Beloved Handmaid, 3 March 1940 52

Their God-Given Task, 15 April 1940 52

7¹ Baha u'llah's Spiritual Sovereignty/

Message to 1940 Convention, 24 April 1940 54

7² Section of Ornamentation, 27 April 1940 55

Continuous Consecration, 15 May 1940 55

Emergence of Spiritual World Order, 12 June 1940 56

CONTENTS

75 Supremely Challenging Hour, 20 July 1940 57

Bear All, Dare All, 14 October 1940 57

Chaos and Redemption, 28 October 1940 57

Translation of Epistle to the Son of the Wolf,

26 November 1940 58

Torchbearer of World Civilization, 3 December 1940 58

Veteran Warrior, 20 February 1941 60

Fifth Year of Plan/Message to 1941 Convention, 22 April 1941.... 60

The Anger of God and His Correction, 25 May 1941 61

Fate-Laden World Ordeal, 30 June 1941 63

Elizabeth Greenleaf, 6 August 1941 64

Unconquerable Power, 12 August 1941 64

Completion of Ornamentation of Temple's Main Story,

25 September 1941 68

87 The Process of Integration and Disintegration,

20 November 1941 68

The Crucible of World Conflagration, 8 December 1941 69

True Upholders of the Covenant, 6 January 1942 70

A Truly World-Embracing Crisis, 15 January 1942 70

9¹ Ordeal Tests Spirit, Challenges Audacity, 5 February 1942 71

92 The American Believers' Supreme, Remaining Responsibility,

12 March 1942 72

93 Impelled to Deputize Five Members/

Message to 1942 Convention, 25 April 1942 72

The Seven Year Plan, 26 May 1942 73

Imperative Need for Multiplication of Pioneers, 8 June 1942 74

Consecrated to Teaching Tasks, 17 June 1942 75

The Passing of Abdu'l-Jalil Bey Sa'd, 25 June 1942 75

A Befitting Climax, 15 August 1942 75

Supremely Urgent Call, 21 September 1942 76

Acclaim with Grateful Heart, 25 November \§A2 77

The Immortal Lua, 21 December 1942 78

Magnificent Response to Teaching Appeal, 23 December 1942 .... 78

The Unfinished Tasks, 8 January 1943 78

CONTENTS

Completion of Temple Exterior, 13 January 1943 79

His Services Unforgettable, 17 January 1943 80

Centenary of the Declaration of the Báb, 27 February 1943 80

Call for Immediate Increase in Pioneers, Settlers in Virgin Areas,

12 March 1943 80

So Meritorious an Undertaking, 28 March 1943 80

All-America Centennial Convention/

Message to 1943 Convention, 14 April 1943 83

no Eleventh Hour of Seven Year Plan, 22 April 1943 84

in Completion and Dedication of Maxwell Memorial,

12 May 1943 84

Bahai Communities of East and West, 25 May 1943 84

The Passing of Mabel Ives, 20 June 1943 85

The Formation of Local Spiritual Assemblies, 22 June 1943 85

Centenary Celebration, 30 June 1943 86

The Crowning Crusade, 31 July 1943 86

Preparations for the Centenary, 8 August 1943 87

The Beloved Faith Is Surging Forward, 30 September 1943.... 88

A Still More Compelling Display, 16 November 1943 88

Progress of Teaching Campaign and Pioneer Activities,

11 December 1943..... 89

¹²¹ The Auspicious Year, 2 January 1944 89

¹²² Addition to Endowments, 13 January 1944 90

¹²3 Participation of Latin American Believers, 27 January 1944 91

¹²4 Befittingly Consummate the Enterprises, 31 March 1944 91

125 Turning-Point in Bahai History, 13 April 1944 91

^I2c* International Achievement, 4 May 1944 94

¹²7 Message to Centenary Convention, 14 May 1944 94

¹²8 Decision to Complete the Structure of the Bab's
Sepulcher/Convention Greetings 1944, 23 May 1944 96

129 Consolidation of Nobly Won Victories, 25 May 1944 96

13° A Spiritual Assembly in Every Remaining Republic,

15 July 1944 96

Hi The Seal of Spiritual Triumph, 18 August 1944 97

^T3² Covenant-Breaking Activities, 6 November 1944 98

CONTENTS

Faithful Pioneer, 18 November 1944 98

Passages in God Passes By, 18 November 1944 98

The Succeeding Stage in the Evolution of Their World Mission,

24 December 1944 99

The Admission of Persians, 18 January 1945 101

Appeal to Preserve New Assemblies and Convert

Large Groups into Assemblies, 22 January 1945 101

Service by Youth on Committees, 26 February 1945 101

Staunch Pioneer, 27 March 1945 101

14° The One Message That Can Extricate Humanity,

29 March 1945 102

Faithless Brother Husayn, 15 April 1945 103

My Heavy-Laden Heart, 19 April 1945 104

^x43 Nationwide, Intercontinental Plans, 5 May 1945 104

^x44 A Single, Organically United World Commonwealth,

9 May 1945 105

^x45 National Teaching Committee's Remarkable Exploits,

28 June 1945 106

H& A New Phase of Human Evolution, 10 August 1945 106

^x47 Hearts Uplifted in Thanksgiving, [17 August 1945] 108

148 The Work of Rehabilitation, 21 December 1945 109

^x49 Exemplary Pioneer, 26 December 1945 '. 110

^I5° The German Baha'i Community, 7 January 1946 110

^IS^I Lidia Zamenhof, [circa 23 January 1946] 110

^x5² Historic Decisions, 24 February 1946 Ill

^x53 Momentous Responsibilities, 20 March 1946 Ill

^I54 Inauguration of Second Seven Year Plan/

Message to 1946 Convention, 23 April 1946 112

^x55 Overwhelming Responsibility, 2 May 1946 114

*S6 Spiritual Conquest of the Old World, 5 June 1946 114

^x57 Thirty New Assemblies, 12 June 1946 115

^x58 A God-Given Mandate, 15 June 1946 ! 115

^x59 Impending Departure of Transatlantic Pioneers, 11 July 1946.... 129

The Utmost Vigor, Vigilance and Consecration, 20 July 1946 ... 130

Distinguished Servant, 27 July 1946 131

CONTENTS

This National and International Crusade, 5 October 1946 132

The Forces Mysteriously Released, 6 October 1946 133

_x64 Magnificent Work, 18 October 1946 134

165 The Pivot on Which Hinges Success, 2 December 1946 134

Notes 139

Glossary 147

Bibliography 177

Index 181

Publisher's Foreword to the New Edition

This Decisive Hour: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the North American Bahais, 1932-1946 was originally published under the title Messages to America: Selected Letters and Cablegrams Addressed to the Bahd'is of North America, 1932-1946. This new volume includes forty-seven additional cables not found in Messages to America. Their inclusion was prompted by the efforts of an ad hoc committee appointed by the Universal House of Justice in 1973 at the Bahá'í World Center to check the texts of the cablegrams in the original edition. While completing their task, the committee found numerous additional cables sent by the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'is of the United States and Canada during the period the compilation encompasses. Of these, the committee selected forty-seven that were felt to be suitable for inclusion, and the proposal to incorporate them into the compilation was approved by the Universal House of Justice. Each of these new cables has been given a heading similar in style and tone to the headings of other messages.

The cables and letters have been proofread against copies of original documents to ensure their accuracy. This has facilitated the correction of numerous typographical errors, misread words, lines of text inadvertently dropped, and wrong dates on cabled messages. In the process, each message has been treated as an individual item; that is, while spellings have been Americanized throughout, and revisions have been made to ensure consistency within each message, no attempt has been made to enforce stylistic consistency among messages.

All cables appear in the form and content in which they were sent and received—i.e., without the interpolations inserted in earlier versions by the Secretariat of the National Assembly or by the editors of BahaiNews. The cables are printed in small capitals, a format that is more faithful to that °f the original cable transmission. Where it would assist the reader, spar-^lng punctuation has been added to the printed text of some cables, but only where it would not eliminate any inherent ambiguity.

PUBLISHER'S FOREWORD TO THE NEW EDITION

The cables have been dated according to when they were dispatched from Haifa, as shown in Shoghi Effendi's records. The different dates given in the previous edition were according to when messages were received in Wilmette.

To facilitate references to any edition of This Decisive Hour, each message is assigned a number, and the paragraphs within it are numbered. This numbering system will enable readers to find and refer to passages in any future edition of the book. A glossary has been added to supply background information, to clarify allusions and references that might otherwise be obscure, and to define specific Baha'i terms. Notes have been added to explain historical details, allusions, cross references to related messages, and references to further details found elsewhere. A bibliography offers information about, books and compilations referred to in the text and notes. Finally, an extensive index is included, the locators of which correspond to the numbering system of the text.

_{Foreword to the First Edition}

The communications from the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith included in this book were addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly, to the Annual Conventions and to the Baha í community of North America from June 21, 1932, to December 3, 1946. All of them have been given current publication in Baha i News except the two longer messages entitled "The Spiritual Potencies of That Consecrated Spot," dated December 21, 1939, and "A God-Given Mandate" dated June 15, 1946, both of which were issued separately for the Baha'is.

In 1940 the letters and cablegrams received up to July 21 of that year were published in a temporary pamphlet entitled Messages from the Guardian. The present compilation gives a survey of American Baha'i development over a term of fourteen crucial years marked by the shift of interest from the development of the administrative order to the teaching mission conferred upon the American Baha'i community, by the rise of the first Seven Year Plan which completed the exterior ornamentation of the House of Worship, laid the basis of the new spiritual order in the unsettled States and Provinces of North America, and carried the Baha'i message to Central and South America, by the deterioration of international affairs culminating in the second World War, and by the inauguration of the second Seven Year Plan in 1946 with its four objectives as described in the Guardian's message to the Convention in that year.

Though the aim of most of these communications calls for fulfillment in action, the Guardian's messages are more than chapters in a historical record which can be closed and laid away. They will remain a source of guidance and inspiration to the members of the Faith, of training to the new believers, and a witness to the general public of the power emanating from the Faith of Baha'u'llah to create a new spiritual order on the wreckage of the past.

During this same period Shoghi Effendi, in addition to his frequent and more intimate messages to the Baha'is, wrote the more general works published under the titles of The Advent of Divine Justice, The Promised Day Is

xiv

FOREWORD TO THE FIRST EDITION

Come, and God Passes By, besides several chapters of the work entitled The World Order of Bahaulldh. His general letters to the American Baha'is, written from the inauguration of the Guardianship in January 1922 to 1932, will be found in Bahai Administration.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'iS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

WILMETTE, ILLINOIS JANUARY 15, 1947

_Index

Note: Italic numbers denote page numbers; all other numbers refer to numbered paragraphs or notes.

A

'Abdu'1-Bahá

anniversary of visit to America of, 26.1 centenary of birth of, 125.5, 127.1 glossary entry for, 147 journey to North America of, 26.1,

94.1, 127.1, 158.4 New World among chief objectives of

ministry of, 158.4, 158.5 twenty-fifth anniversary of passing of,

165.1 Wilmette Temple consecrated by, 66.1,

108.1 See also Divine Plan Abdu'l-Jalil Bey Sa'd glossary entry for, 147 passing of, 97.1 Abu'1-Fadl

Abdu'l-Jalil Bey Sa'd and, 971 burial of, in Baha'i cemetery, 87.1,

101.1 glossary entry for, 148 Abu'1-Qásim Khurásání glossary entry for, 148 passing of, 1.1 Administrative Order

for bringing message of Baha'u'llah to

the masses, 140.2 enlarging basis of, 158.8 familiarizing new groups with, 70.3 glossary entry for, 148 National Spiritual Assemblies in,

158.10 and next phase of Divine Plan, 146.3,

158.6 as nucleus and pattern of World Order

of Baha'u'llah, 158.14 opponents of, 70.2, 85.2, 85.3 second Seven Year Plan and, 94.1

Ahmad Sohrab as enemy of, 85.4 structural basis for, laid in North

America, 125.1, 154.1 third Seven Year Plan to establish across

the globe, 154.1 in Western Hemisphere, 158.14 Ages, glossary entry for, 148—49 Ahmad-i-Ahsa'i, Shaykh glossary entry for, 149 on Year Nine, 158.18 Akká

glossary entry for, 149

tombs of mother and brother of

Abdu'1-Bahá facing, 64.3 Alaska, 45.1, 116.1, n.66 All-America Centennial Convention call for, 108.5, 109.1 Latin American delegates at, 108.5,

109.1, 123.1, 125.5, 127.1 message to, 127.1

at turning-point in Baha'i history, 125.5 American Baha'i community

and American entry into World War II,

90.1, 91.1 blessings vouchsafed to, 158.25 as champion builders of World Order

of Baha'u'llah, 6.1, 55.4, 58.4,

154.1 emergence from severest crisis since

Abdu'1-Bahás passing, 100.1 at fiftieth anniversary, 125.1, 125.2,

125.3 hour of victory at hand for, 11.1 as spiritual descendants of Dawn-Breakers, 24.1 still more compelling display required

of, 119.1 as torchbearer of World civilization,

41.1, 79.1, 127.1, 154.1

ibT

INDEX

INDEX

American Baha'i community (continued) triple call at the most fateful hour, 58.1 two categories of activities of, 55.1 twofold task of, 29.1, 30.1, 46.1, 53.1,

153.2, 165.1 unbroken solidarity and unquenchable

enthusiasm of, 42.1 unfinished tasks for, 103.1, 108.4, 140.2 united will and concerted action urged

on, 5.1 during World War II, 82.6 See also National Convention; National Fund; Seven Year Plan (first); Seven Year Plan (second); Tablets of the Divine Plan; teaching campaign Archbreaker of the Covenant (Muhammad Ali) glossary entry for, 149 opposes transfer of remains of mother

and brother, 64.4, 64.5 passing of, 35.1 Ark

and Carmel, 64.6 glossary entry for, 149-50 Asia. See Burma; India Ásíyih Khánum

Baha'u'llah on, 64.13, 64.14, 64.15,

64.16, 64.17 glossary entry for, 150 interment of, 65.1 remains transferred to Mt. Carmel,

63.1, 64.1, 64.2, 64.3, 144.1 Wilmette House of Worship associated with, 66.1 Assemblies. See Spiritual Assemblies Australia

Baha'i communities of, marveling at

American labors, 116.1 Baha'i headquarters in, 121.1, 126.1, 144.1 Authorized Interpreter of Baha'u'llah's

Teachings. See Abdu'1-Bahá Author of the Faith. See Baha'u'llah

B

Báb,the

centenary of declaration of, 106.1,

108.5, 109.1, 115.1, 127.1 decision to complete sepulcher of,

128.1, 144.1 glossary entry for, 150

historic sites purchased, 126.1 portrait of, 109.1 Qayyúmu'1-Asmá', 158.2 on Year Nine, 158.18 Bábi Dispensation centenary of, 108.5 Year Nine as terminus of, 158.18 Badíulláh

glossary entry for, 151 protesting transfer of remains of

mother and brother of Abdu'1-Bahá, 64.4 Baghdad!, Dr. Zia M. glossary entry for, 151 passing of, 28.1 Baha'i Centenary 1844-1944, The, 106.1,

n.62 Baha'i Cycle

centenary of inception of, 108.6 glossary entry for, 151 Baha'i literature

distribution center for Latin America,

158.15 for Europe, 156.1 German, 152.1, 158.13 for Latin America, 127.1, 130.1, 131.1, 135.2, 140.2, 158.8, 158.13, 158.15 in Spanish and Portuguese, 130.1,

135.2, 140.2, 158.8, 158.13, 158.15 translations of, 126.1 wider dissemination of, 98.1, 134.1, 146.5, 158.8 Baha (World, The, 1.1, 54.1, 137.1 Baha'i World Center glossary entry for, 151 World War II cutting off Baha'is from,

82.5 See also Akká Baha'i World Commonwealth glossary entry for, 151—52 World War II in creation of, 144.1 See also World Order of Baha'u'llah Baha'u'llah

on Ásíyih Khánum, 64.13, 64.14,

64.15, 64.16, 64.17 endowment for tomb of, 121.1 glossary entry for, 152 inauguration of prophetic mission of,

154.1, 158.18, 158.19, 158.20 lock of hair beneath dome of Wilmette Temple, 38.1, 109.1

on Mírzá Mihdí (Purest Branch), 64.9, 64.10, 64.11, 64.12

Tablet of Carmel, 64.6

Tihrán home purchased, 126.1

See also World Order of Baha'u'llah Bahia (Brazil), 79.2 Bahíyyih Khánum (Greatest Holy Leaf)

and American Baha'is, 5.1

glossary entry for, 152

mother and brother buried near, 63.1, 64.3, 64.6

passing of, 3.1, 4.1

and the Wilmette Temple, 104.1 Bahíyyih Khánum Fund, 44.1, 47.1, 65.1,

66.1 Belgium, n.88 Bolivia, 116.1, 134.1 Bosch, John D.

glossary entry for, 153

passing of, 161.1 Britain

Americans collaborating with publishing committee in, 156.1, 158.12

Baha'i communities marveling at American labors, 116.1 Buenos Aires (Argentina), 79.2, 158.15 Burma

American support required in, 148.4

suffering of Baha'is of, during World War II, 148.1, n.77

C

Canada

American entry into World War II and

teaching campaign in, 90.1, 92.1 enabling groups to obtain Local

Assembly status, 158.8 Manitoba, 45.1, 48.1 National Spiritual Assembly for, 154.1,

158.10 Nova Scotia, 45.1, 48.1 pioneers required for, 45.1, 46.5 Prince Edward Island, 116.1, n.66 Saskatchewan, 116.1, n.66 structural basis for Administrative

Order in every province of, 125.1 See also American Baha'i community Caribbean Cuba, 51.1

Dominica, 51.1, 57.3 Haiti, 51.1, 57.3 San Domingo, 116.1, 134.1 West Indies, 125.1 Carmel. See Mount Carmel Caucasus

persecution of Baha'is in, n.38 wartime threats in, 77.1 Centenary of the Faith

American efforts for, 119.1

facts about the Faith at time of, 126.1

preparing for, 117.1

splendid success of, 131.1

See also All-America Centennial

Convention Center of the Covenant. See Abdu'1-Bahá Central America

administrative structure emerging in,

82.6 Costa Rica, 51.1, 57.3 El Salvador, 51.1, 57.3 establishing Baha'i center in each

Republic of, 70.3, 126.1, 144.1,

n.66 first Seven Year Plan and, 46.2, 58.5 Guatemala, 51.1, 57.3 Honduras, 51.1 maintaining outposts of the Faith in,

112.1 National Spiritual Assembly for, 154.1,

158.10 Nicaragua, 51.1, 57.3, 116.1, 134.1 Panama, 51.1, 134.1 in penetration of Latin America, 51.1 pioneers in most Republics of, 58.5 settlement of remaining Republics of,

57.3 three-fold objective for, 143.1 in World Mission, 56.1 World War II affecting, 82.3 Central Figures

glossary entry for, 153

See also Abdu'1-Bahá; Báb, the;

Baha'u'llah Chicago

Dr. Zia Baghdad!, 28.1

first American Baha'i group formed in,

n.63 See also House of Worship (Wilmette) Christ, 58.4, 158.19 Christianity, 56.1, 82.4

182

i8₃

INDEX

INDEX

Collins, Amelia

glossary entry for, 153 locks of Baha'u'llah's hair entrusted to, 38.1 Colombia, 71.1 Costa Rica, 51.1, 57.3 Covenant

American Bahá' is as true upholders of

the, 89.1 glossary entry for, 153—54 See also Covenant-breaker Covenant-breaker

glossary entry for, 154

Moneeb Shaheed's marriage, 132.1

North American Baha'is not diverted

by, 110.1 unity and integrity for combating,

144.1 See also Archbreaker of the Covenant; Kheiralla, Ibrahim; Sohrab, Ahmad Cradle of the Faith. See Iran Cuba, 51.1 Cycle. See Baha í Cycle

glossary entry for, 154-55

D

Daniel's Prophecy

glossary entry for, 155—56 third Seven Year Plan and, 154.1, 158.21 Dawn-Breakers

American Baha'is as spiritual

descendants of, 24.1, 127.1 glossary entry for, 156 pioneers compared with, 125.4 Dawn-Breakers: Nabil s Narrative of the Early Days of the Bahá H Revelation, The. See Nabil's Narrative Day of the Covenant, glossary entry for,

156 Declaration of Trust, By-Laws of a-Local

Spiritual Assem bly, 8.1 Delaware, 45.1, 48.1 Denmark, n.88 Dispensation

glossary entry for, 156 See also Bábi Dispensation Divine Lote-Tree, glossary entry for, 156

Divine Plan

American Baha'is broadcasting, 153 y call for rededication to fulfillment of

23.1 as gathering momentum, 46.5 glossary entry for, 156—57 next stage in evolution of, 140.1,

146.1, 146.2, 147.1, 158.6 significance of promulgation of, 25.1 visualizing attainment of, 47.2 See also Tablets of the Divine Plan

Dominica, 51.1, 57.3

Dunn, John Henry Hyde glossary entry for, 757 passing of, 80.1

E

Egypt

Ahdu'l-Jalil Bey Sa'd's passing, 97.1 Bahá'i administrative headquarters in,

87.1, 112.1, 121.1, 126.1, 144.1 Baha i communities of, marveling at

American labors, 116.1 Lua Getsinger's burial in, 87.1, 101.1 persecution of Baha'is in, n.38 teaching campaign affecting, 25.1 World War II as threat to Baha'i community, 91.1, 144.1 elections, Baha'i

glossary entry for, 157—58 necessity of voting, 15.1 preceding Universal House of Justice, 158.10 El Salvador, 51.1, 57.3 endowments, 121.1, 122.1, 126.1, 144.1 Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, 78.1 Epochs, glossary entry for, 158 Espinosa, Pedro, 51.1, n.31 Europe

Baha'i literature for, 156.1 Belgium, n.88

carrying message of Bahau'llah to war-torn, 146.3, 146.6, 147.1, 148.2 cessation of hostilities in, 144.1,

146.1 I Denmark, n.88 France, 158.12, 158.13 Holland, 158.13, n.88 Iberian. Peninsula, 154.1, 158.12 Italy, 154.1, 158.12, 158.13, n.88

Low Countries, 154.1, 156.1, 158.13 Luxembourg, 156.1, n.88 Norway, n.88 pioneers to, 156.1, 158.13, 159.1,

163.1, 165.1, n.86 Portugal, n.88 reinforcing outposts of the Faith in,

162.2 in second Seven Year Plan, 154.1,

156.1, 158.7, 158.11, 158.12,

160.1 Spain, n.88

Switzerland, 156.1, n.88 teaching campaign affecting, 25.1 See also Britain; Germany European Teaching Committee collaborating with British and

German Baha'is, 156.1 glossary entry for, 158 immediate requirements of, 165.1 measures employed by, 158.13

F

Farmer, Sarah

glossary entry for, 159

Tablets addressed to, 8.1, n.6 Formative Age, 85.13 France, 158.12, 158.13 Funds

glossary entry for, 159-60

See also National Fund

G

Germany

Americans collaborating with

publishing committee in, 156.1, 158.12 American support required in, 150.1,

152.1, 153.1 Baha'i literature for, 152.1, 158.13 persecution of Baha'is in Nazi, n.38 suffering of Baha'is during World War II, 148.1, n.77 Getsinger, Lua

burial of, 87.1, 101.1 glossary entry for, 160 G^Th^T^iShoghiEffendi), 134.1 Golden Age, 85.14 Greatest Holy Leaf. See Bahiyyih Khánum

Greatest Name, glossary entry for, 160 Greenleaf, Elizabeth

glossary entry for, 7619

passing of, 84.1 Guardianship

Administrative Order and, 64.6

glossary entry for, 160—61 Guatemala, 51.1, 57.3

H

Haiti, 51.1, 57.3

Hands of the Cause of God, glossary

entry for, 767 Hazíratu'1-Quds

glossary entry for, 767 in Wilmette, Illinois, 61.1, 70.3 Herald of the Faith. See Báb, the Heroic Age, Year Nine ushering in,

158.18 Hin

and Baha'u'llah's prophetic mission,

158.18 glossary entry for, 767 Hoagg, Emogene

glossary entry for, 762 passing of, 149.1 Holland, 158.13, n.88 Holy Family

glossary entry for, 762 See also particular members by name Honduras, 51.1 Hosts

glossary entry for, 762

See also Lord of Hosts

House of Worship (Wilmette)

Ahdu'1-Bahá consecrating, 66.1, 108.1 All-America Centennial Convention

at, 108.5, 125.5, 127.1 American participation in World War

II and completion of, 92.1 Bahiyyih Khánum Fund for, 44.1,

47.1, 65.1, 66.1 balancing teaching and construction

of, 46.1 cost of, 126.1 dome completed, 18.1 exterior completed, 104.1, 108.1, 108.2, 108.3, 109.1, 110.1, 116.1, 125.1, 125.5, 154.1, 158.15 and first Seven Year Plan, 94.1 First Story Construction Fund, 47.1

184

i«5

INDEX

INDEX

House of Worship (Wilmette) (continued) five steps for completion of, n.25, n.30 interior ornamentation of, 154.1, 158.9 lock of Baha'u'llah s hair beneath dome,

38.1, 109.1 Mírzá Mihdí (Purest Branch) and

Asíyih Khánum associated with,

66.1 National Baha'i Secretariat moved to,

57.1, 61.1 ornamentation of gallery section, 44.1,

47.1 ornamentation of main story complete,

86.1, 87.1, 90.1 plan to raise funds to complete first

story, 66.2, 67.1 resuming exterior ornamentation, 29.1 section of ornamentation presented to

Shoghi Effendi, 72.1, n.49 as unfinished task, 103.1 as virtually complete in 1941, 82.6,

85.2 World War II and expediting last stage

of ornamentation of, 74.1, 75.1 Husayn, Imam

the Bab's dream of, 158.19 glossary entry for, 162 Husayn Rabbání, 141.1

I Iberian Peninsula, 154.1, 158.12 India

Baha'i communities marveling at

American labors, 116.1 Local Assemblies formed in, 112.1,

121.1 national administrative headquarters

for, 112.1, 126.1, 144.1 number of Baha'i centers in 1944,

126.1 Six Year Plan, 144.1 teaching campaign affecting, 25.1 World War II as threat to Baha'i.

community, 135.1, 144.1 Inter-America Committee

admiration and gratitude for, 79.2 areas requiring attention of, 116.1 glossary entry for, 162 increasing number of believers and

establishing local head-

quarters as tasks for, 142.1, 143.1 testimonies to success of, 56.1 International Archives, glossary entry for,

162 International Baha'i Bureau

call for adjunct to, 156.1, 158.12 glossary entry for, 162-63 International Baha'i Relief Fund, 152.1,

n.79 International School

as accomplishment of first Seven Year

Plan, 158.15 establishment of, 70.3, n.48 glossary entry for, 163 Iran (Cradle of the Faith) Baha'i centers in', 121.1 Baha'i communities of, marveling at

American labors, 116.1 Baha'i schools closed in, 87.1 caution in admitting Persians to the

community, 136.1 historic sites purchased in, 126.1 persecution of Baha'is in, 77.1, n.38 pioneers from, 112.1 site for Temple purchased in, 126.1 teaching campaign affecting, 25.1 World War II as threat to Baha'i community of, 82.5, 91.1, 135.1, 144.1 Iraq

Baha'i communities of, marveling at

American labors, 116.1 Hazíratu'1-Quds in Baghdad, 87.1,

112.1, 126.1, 144.1 persecution of Baha'is in, n.38 teaching campaign affecting, 25.1 World War II as threat to Baha'i community of, 135.1, 144.1 'Ishqábád (Turkmenistan), 87.1, 108.1,

158.8, n.38 Islam, 16.1

Italy, 154.1, 158.12, 158.13, n.88 Ives, Mabel Rice-Wray glossary entry for, 163 passing of, 113.1

J

Jewry, 82.4

John the Divine, St., 158.18

Jordan Valley, 121.1, 122.1, 126.1, 144.1

K

Kaszab, Mathew

glossary entry for, 163

passing of, 105.1 Kheiralla, Ibrahim

defection of, 127.1, 158.26

glossary entry for, 163—64 King of Martyrs. See Muhammad-Hasan,

Mírzá Kítáb-i-Aqdas (Baha'u'llah)

Americans addressed by, 158.3

glossary entry for, 164

L

Latin America

accelerating teaching efforts in, 74.1,

75.1, 76.1, 78.1 at All-America Centennial Convention,

108.5, 109.1, 123.1, 125.5, 127.1 American Baha'is carrying Faith to,

79.1 American entry into World War II and

teaching campaign in, 90.1, 91.1,

92.1 an assembly for every republic in, 130.1 Baha'i literature for, 127.1, 130.1, 131.1,

135.2, 140.2, 158.8, 158.13, 158.15 consolidating pioneer work in, 81.1,

108.4, 118.1, 152.1 increasing number of assemblies in,

129.1, 158.8, 158.15 increasing number of pioneers required

for, 130.1, 145.1 Local Assemblies formed in, 95.1,

110.1, 125.1, 154.1 Mexico, 51.1

multiplying Baha'i centers in, 131.1 preserving newly established assemblies

in, 137.1 special convention of July 1944 for,

128.1, n.69 teaching campaign as yielding fruit in,

93.1 temple construction and crusade in,

47.2 See also Caribbean; Central America;

South America Lesch, Mary

glossary entry for, 164 passing of, 134.1

Lesser Peace, glossary entry for, 164

Letters of the Living, glossary entry for, 164

literature. See Baha'i literature

Local Spiritual Assemblies

criteria for forming, 114.1, 157.1 enabling groups in U.S. and Canada to

obtain status of, 158.8 in first Seven Year Plan, 36.1 increase in North and Latin America,

110.1, 158.15 maintaining recently-established, 135.2 number incorporated as of 1944, 126.1 in virgin areas of North America, 119.1

Lord of Hosts

glossary entry for, 165 See also Baha'u'llah

Low Countries, 154.1, 156.1, 158.13

Lua. See Getsinger, Lua

Lunt, Alfred E.

glossary entry for, 165 passing of, 32.1

Luxembourg, 156.1, n.88

M Magallanes (Punta Arenas) (Chile), 126.1,

142.1 Manifestation of God, glossary entry for,

165 Manitoba, 45.1, 48.1 marriages, Baha'i, 126.1, n.38 Mashriqu'1-Adhkár

established in Wilmette, 61.1, 70.3

glossary entry for, 165-66

Greatest Holy Leaf's burial place near future, 64.6

in Ishqábád, 87.1, 108.1, 158.9

See also House of Worship (Wilmette) Master

glossary entry for, 166

See also Abdu'1-Bahá Mathews, Mrs. Loulie, n.48 Maxwell, May

glossary entry for, 166

memorial dedicated, 111.1, n.65

passing of, 69.1, 70.2, 71.1 Maxwell, Sutherland, n.65 Mexico, 51.1 Middle East

American pioneers to, 87.1

186

i8₇

INDEX

INDEX

Middle East (continued) Syria, 87.1

. See also 'Akká; Egypt; Iran; Iraq Mihdí, Mírzá (Purest Branch)

Baháuiláh on, 64.9, 64.10, 64.11,

64.12 glossary entry for, 166 interment of, 65.1 remains of, transferred to Mt. Carmel,

63.1, 64.1, 64.2, 64.3, 144.1 Wilmette House of Worship associated with, 66.1 Moody, Susan

glossary entry for, 166 passing of, 13.1 Moses, 158.19 Most Exalted Leaf. S^Ásíyih Khánum;

Bahíyyih Khánum Most Great Festival. See Ridván Most Great Peace

American Baha is building first

tabernacle to, 154.1 glossary entry for, 167 Most Great Prison

glossary entry for, 167 See also Akká Most Holy Book. See Kltab-i-Aqdas Mother Temple of the West. See House of

Worship (Wilmette) Mount Carmel

glossary entry for, 167 land acquired on, 121.1, 144.1 Muhammad (prophet of Islam), 158.19 Muhammad Alí, Mírzá. See Archbreaker of

the Covenant Muhammad-Hasan, Mírzá (King of Martyrs) glossary entry for, 164 grandson marries Muslim, 132.1 Munírih Khánum

glossary entry for, 167 passing of, 39.1

N NabiTs Narrative (The Dawn-Breakers:

Nabil's Narrative of the Early Days of the Bahá *i Revelation) as essential adjunct of teaching

program, 2.1 study guide to, 8.1 National Baha í Secretariat, 57.1, 61.1, n.37

National Convention

delegates increased, 33.1

glossary entry for, 167

message from 1935, n.12

message from 1937, n.21

message from 1939, n.34

message to 1933, 9.1

message to 1934, 12.1

message to 1935, 14.1

message to 1936, 20.1

message to 1937, 29.1

message to 1938, 38.1

message to 1939, 52.1

message to 1940, 71.1

message to 1941, 81.1

message to 1942; 93.1

message to 1943, 109.1

message to 1944, 127.1

message to 1946, 154.1

recommendations for focus of 1940, 67.1 National Fund

importance of, 17.1

more resources required for, 99.1 National Spiritual Assemblies

for Canada, Central America, and South America, 154.1, 158.10

number of, 126.1, 158.10

San Francisco meeting of 1939, 62.1, n.42 National Teaching Committee, 46.1, 50.3,

145.1, 159.1 Nawáb. See Ásíyih Khánum Nazi Germany, persecution of Baha'is in,

n.38 Nebraska, n.66 Nevada, 45.1

New York City, n.37, n.4l, n.60 New Zealand, 116.1 Nicaragua, 51.1, 57.3, 116.1, 134.1 Nineteen Day Feast, glossary entry for, 168 Nominee of the Báb (Mírzá Yahyá),

glossary entry for, 168 North Africa, 77.1 North America

anchorage institutions established in every state and province, 51.1, 82.6, 158.15

Local Assemblies needed in virgin areas of, 119.1

new Local Assemblies in, 95.1

three-fold objective for, 143.1 See also Canada; United States

North Dakota, 116.1, n.66

Norway, n.88

Nova Scotia, 45.1, 48.1

O

outworn creeds, separation from, 16.1

P

Panama, 51.1, 134.1

Paraguay, 71.1, 116.1

patriotism, 7.1

Persia. oYHran

personality, subordination of, 8.1

Peru, 116.1

pilgrimage

glossary entry for, 168 to tombs of mother and brother of Abdu'1-Bahá, 64.8 Pillars of the Universal House of Justice. See National Spiritual Assemblies pioneers

Americans settling in Middle East, 87.1 call for immediate increase in settlers in

virgin areas, 107.1 challenges facing, 160.2 consolidating Latin American work of,

81.1 constant encouragement for, 155.1 debt of gratitude to, 125.4 efforts as befitting climax to first Baha'i

century, 98.1 establishing in each Central and South

American Republic, 70.3 for Europe, 156.1, 158.13, 159.1, 163.1,

165.1, n.86 ever-increasing number required, 143.1 five American Baha'is deputized for,

93.1 glossary entry for, 168 gratitude to, 49.1, 50.1, 164.1 imperative for multiplication of, 95.1,

96.1 increasing number of Latin American,

130.1, 145.1 magnificent response to appeal for, 102.1, 103.1

in most Central American Republics,

58.5 nine holy souls required for U.S. and

Canada, 45.1, 46.5 Persian, 112.1

progress as of December 1943, 120.1 as pushing farther the frontiers of the

Faith, 55.3 Shoghi Effendi desiring personal

contact with, 56.1 special support for, 57.3 supporting and assisting new groups

founded by, 79.2, 79.3 supremely urgent call for, 99.1 Plans

glossary entry for, 169 See also Divine Plan; Seven Year Plan (first); Seven Year Plan (second) political affairs, non-participation in, 7.1 Portugal, n.88

press, the, 135.2, 140.2, 158.13, 158.15 Prince Edward Island, 116.1, n.66 Punta Arenas (Magallanes) (Chile), 126.1,

142.1 Purest Branch. See Mihdí, Mírzá

Q

Qayyúmu'1-Asmá'

as directed to people of the West, 158.2 glossary entry for, 169

R

radio, 134.1, 135.2, 140.2, 158.13, 158.15 Ransom-Kehler, Mrs. Keith

debt of gratitude to, 70.2

glossary entry for, 169

passing of, 10.1 Regional Committees, glossary entry for,

169-70 religious conservatism, 160.2 religious fanaticism, 77.1 religious orthodoxy, 101.1 Revelation, glossary entry for, 170 Ridván, glossary entry for, 170 Root, Martha

glossary entry for, 170

in Latin America, 51.1, n.47

passing of, 60.1, 70.2

path for intercontinental crusade broken by, 71.1

189

INDEX

INDEX

S

Sádhij, 64.4

San Domingo, 116.1, 134.1 Saskatchewan, 116.1, n.66 Scandinavia, 154.1, 158.12, 158.13 Schopflocher, Siegfried (Fred)

conveying message on Local Spiritual

Assemblies, 29.1, n.22 donation for exterior ornamentation of

Wilmette Temple, n.25 glossary entry for, 170 Secondary Houses of Justice, 158.10 Seven Year Plan (first)

all should arise in participation in, 34.1 and American entry into World War II,

90.1 at beginning of fifth year, 81.1 at beginning of fourth year, 70.1, 70.3,

70.5 Central and South America in, 46.2,

58.5 as consummating first fifty years of

American Baha'i community, 124.1 and consummation of first stage of

Divine Plan, 158.6 as crowning crusade of first Baha'i

century, 116.1 the eleventh hour of, 110.1 at end of first year, 37.1 at end of second year, 51.1 as exceeding highest expectations, 82.6 expansion activities inspired by, 121.1 initial phase of teaching work concluded, 50.2, 51.1 last phase beginning, 93.1 Mírzá Mihdí (Purest Branch) and

Ásíyih Khánum associated with,

65.1 in perspective of Baha'i history, 94.1 progressive unfoldment of, 40.1 as setting seal of triumph on centenary

celebrations, 131.1 as success despite World War II, 144.1,

158.15 vigorous progress of, 47.1 vital requirements of, 36.1 world events investing with urgency,

42.1 Seven Year Plan (second)

achievements of first Seven Year Plan as

goal for, 158.16

administrative actions for expediting,

155.1 and centenary of Year Nine, 154.1,

158.18 concentrating resources on, 158 Europe in, 154.1, 156.1, 158.7, 158.11,

158.12, 160.1 forces mysteriously released by, 163.1 as God-given mandate, 158.1, 158.2 inauguration of, 154.1 initial success of, 160.3, 162.1 vigor, vigilance, and consecration required for, 160.1 Seven Year Plan (third), 154.1, 158.21 Shaheed, Moneeb, 132.1 Shoghi Effendi

glossary entry for, 171 God Passes By, 134.1 marriage of, n.20 shrines, glossary entry for, 171 Six Year Plan (India), 144.1 Síyáh-Chál (Tihrán)

Baha'u'llah's prophetic mission revealed

in, 154.1, 158.18, 158.20 glossary entry for, 171 Sohrab, Ahmad

Administrative Order attacked by, 85.4,

158.26 glossary entry for, 171 South America

administrative structure.emerging in,

82.6 Bahia, Brazil, 79.2 Bolivia, 116.1, 134.1 Buenos Aires, Argentina, 79.2, 158.15 Colombia, 71.1

establishing Baha'i centers in each Republic of, 70.3, 126.1, 144.1, n.66 first Seven Year Plan and, 46.2, 58.5 Magallanes, Chile, 126.1, 142.1 maintaining outposts of the Faith in,

112.1 National Spiritual Assembly for, 154.1,

158.10 Paraguay, 71. K 116.1 Peru, 116.1

three-fold objective for, 143.1 Venezuela, 116.1, 134.1 World War II affecting, 82.3 South Carolina, 45.1, 116.1, n.66

South Dakota, 116.1, n.66 Spain, n.88 Spiritual Assemblies

glossary entry for, 170—71

See also Local Spiritual Assemblies; National Spiritual Assemblies Stearns, John P.

glossary entry for, 172

passing of, 133.1 Study Guide to "The Dawn-Breakers,"

Nabil s Narrative of the Early Days of The Bahá / Revelation, A,%.\ Sweden, n.88 Switzerland, 156.1, n.88 Sydney (Australia), 121.1, 126.1, 144.1 Syria, 87.1

T

Tablet of Carmel

and burial of Asíyih Khánum, Bahíyyih

Khánum, and Mírzá Mihdí on Mt.

Carmel, 64.6 glossary entry for, 172 Tablets of the Divine Plan

American Assembly invested with

unique responsibilities and

privileges, 22.1 American Baha'is armed with, 58.5 as Charter of the Plan, 158.4 first Seven Year Plan and, 37.1, 82.6 glossary entry for, 172 historic appeal of, 20.1 on mission of American Baha'is, 158.17 revelation of, n.18 Sohrab and, 158.26 on traveling to promote the Divine

teachings, 158.23 teaching campaign

accelerating due to progress in Temple

construction, 45.1 and American entry into World War II,

90.1, 91.1 balancing Temple construction and,

46.1 at beginning of 1944, 121.1 gratitude expressed for exertions in,

20.1 initial phase concluded, 50.2, 51.1 intensifying after completion of