h suffering and turmoil, is moving on in its
slow and toilsome march towards the acceptance of God's holy Faith, let us
turn for a moment our gaze to the Western Hemisphere, and particularly to
the American continent, and attempt to visualize the possibilities of the
future spread of the Cause, and to estimate afresh those golden yet
swiftly passing opportunities which Baha'u'llah in those far-away lands
has accorded to His chosen people. I feel thoroughly convinced, and am
moved to share this firm conviction within me with that great company of
western believers, that in the speedy resumption of the sorely-neglected
construction of the Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar at Wilmette lies our undoubted
privilege, our primary obligation, our most vital opportunity to lend an
unprecedented impetus to the advancement of the Cause, not only throughout
the West but in every country of the world. I would not stress at this
moment the prestige and good name of the Cause, much as they are involved
in this most pressing issue, I would not dwell upon the eager expectancy
with which the unnumbered followers of the Faith as well as the vast
number of the non-believers in almost every section of society throughout
the East are awaiting to behold that noble structure rear its head in the
heart of that far-western continent; nor would I expatiate on the
ineffable beauty of this holy Edifice, its towering glory, its artistic
design, its unique character, or its functions in the organic life of the
Baha'i community of the future. But I would with all the strength of my
conviction emphasize the immeasurable spiritual significance of an
Edifice, so beauteous, so holy, erected solely by the concerted efforts,
strained to the utmost degree of self-sacrifice, of the entire body of the
believers who are fully conscious of the significance of the Revelation of
Baha'u'llah. In this vast endeavor, unparalleled in modern times, its
world-wide range, its spontaneity, its heroic and holy character, the
American believers, on the soil of whose country Baha'u'llah's first
universal House of Worship is to be built, must, if they be faithful to
their trust, claim and fulfill a pre-eminent share in the collective
contributions offered by the Baha'is of the world.

'Abdu'l-Baha's Cherished Desire

For this reason do I feel impelled to direct by incessant plea in
particular to the followers of the Faith in the United States and Canada
to arise and play their pa