wisdom, nay the necessity, of
gradually and cautiously disclosing to the eyes of an unbelieving world
the implications of a Truth which, by its own challenging nature, it is so
difficult for it to comprehend and embrace.

It was He, our beloved 'Abdu'l-Baha, our true and shining Exemplar, who
with infinite tact and patience, whether in His public utterances or in
private converse, adapted the presentation of the fundamentals of the
Cause to the varying capacities and the spiritual receptiveness of His
hearers. He never hesitated, however, to tear the veil asunder and reveal
to the spiritually ripened those challenging verities that set forth in
its true light the relationship of this Supreme Revelation with the
Dispensations of the past. Unashamed and unafraid when challenged to
assert in its entirety the stupendous claim of Baha'u'llah, Baha'is,
whether laboring as individuals or functioning as an organized community,
feel certain that in the face of the apathy, the gross materialism, and
the superficiality of society today, a progressive disclosure of the
magnitude of the claim of Baha'u'llah would constitute the most effective
means for the attainment of the end so greatly desired by even the
staunchest and most zealous advocate of the Faith.

Fully aware of the repeated statements of 'Abdu'l-Baha that universality
is of God, Baha'is in every land are ready, nay anxious, to associate
themselves by word and deed with any association of men which, after
careful scrutiny, they feel satisfied is free from every tinge of
partisanship and politics and is wholly devoted to the interests of all
mankind. In their collaboration with such associations they would extend
any moral and material assistance they can afford, after having fulfilled
their share of support to those institutions that affect directly the
interests of the Cause. They should always bear in mind, however, the
dominating purpose of such a collaboration which is to secure in time the
recognition by those with whom they are associated of the paramount
necessity and the true significance of the Baha'i Revelation in this day.

As the Movement extends the bounds of its influence and its opportunities
for fuller recognition multiply, the twofold character of the obligations
imposed on its National elected representatives should, I feel, be
increasingly emphasized. Whilst chiefly engaged in the pursuit of their
major task, consisting chiefly in the formation and t