hat land
that officially represents, promotes and safeguards the various interests
of the Cause, it is my fervent prayer and my most cherished desire, that
the unfailing guidance of Baha'u'llah and the blessings of our beloved
Master will enable them to set a high and true example to all other Baha'i
institutions and local Assemblies, and will show them what absolute
harmony, mature deliberation and whole-hearted cooperation can achieve.

Should such a representative and responsible body fail to realize this
fundamental requisite for all successful achievement, the whole structure
is sure to crumble, and the Great Plan of the Future, as unfolded by the
Master's Will and Testament, will be rudely disturbed and grievously
delayed.

Regarding the management of the Star of the West, as I have already
intimated, this Baha'i organ as well as other similar publications, far
from being regarded as the special organ of a certain group or particular
locality, should fall under the exclusive control of the National
Spiritual Assembly, which, aided by a special committee, shall minutely
guide and judiciously scrutinize all the information it gives, the
character of the articles and translations it publishes, and the tone and
language it assumes in all its issues....

Reports of Activities

I shall always await from the members of the National Spiritual Assembly,
collective, official and comprehensive reports on their manifold
activities, sent to me at frequent intervals, and bearing upon the inner
and outward currents of the Movement, the relations of Assemblies to one
another, and the general standing and the various aspects of the progress
of the Cause throughout the land. I would welcome more specific reports
sent to me by the various committees of the National Spiritual Assembly,
enclosed in the National Assembly's letter, and approved by all its
members.

Mashriqu'l-Adhkar

I have read with keen interest all the enclosures regarding the
Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar, have shared the up-to-date news they contained with
the friends throughout the East, and note with particular pleasure the
completion of the Basement Section, with its spacious Foundation Hall
ready for the holding of meetings and the gatherings of friends. Though
the prospect of the immediate resumption of building activity does not
seem bright at present, yet I hope and pray that these difficulties will
soon disappear, and the work of this unique