e
fullness of time, will culminate in the establishment of the World Baha'i
Commonwealth, functioning in the plenitude of its powers, and which will
signalize the long-awaited advent of the Christ-promised Kingdom of God on
earth--the Kingdom of Baha'u'llah--mirroring however faintly upon this
humble handful of dust the glories of the Abha Kingdom.

This final and crowning stage in the evolution of the plan wrought by God
Himself for humanity will, in turn, prove to be the signal for the birth
of a world civilization, incomparable in its range, its character and
potency, in the history of mankind--a civilization which posterity will,
with one voice, acclaim as the fairest fruit of the Golden Age of the
Dispensation of Baha'u'llah, and whose rich harvest will be garnered
during future dispensations destined to succeed one another in the course
of the five thousand century Baha'i Cycle.

[May 4, 1953]

Appeal for Funds to Purchase Temple Site in Italy

Launching of the World Crusade signalized spontaneous contributions from
the delegates assembled in Florence to purchase land for the first Italian
Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar within the stronghold of leading community of
Christendom. Appeal to national assemblies of the Baha'i world to
participate in the historic enterprise synchronizing with emergence of a
sister assembly on European continent. Urged in message, addressed to Hand
of the Cause Ugo Giachery, the selection of the site. Transmitting one
thousand pounds as my contribution for this meritorious purpose to the
treasurer, Anne Lynch, in Geneva.

[May 4, 1953]

Joyful Announcement of Progress

Joyfully announce to the Baha'i world the rapid progress of the final
stages of the construction of the Bab's mausoleum on Mt. Carmel, as well
as the splendid initiative of the Baha'is of Panama aiming at the
acquisition of the site of the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of Central
America. Erection of the lantern and the placing of the ribs of the dome
completed. Five thousand gilded tiles dispatched from Utrecht have been
safely received, half of which have been already placed in position,
disclosing a glimpse of the shining splendor of the completed dome.

Appeal to national assemblies, East and West, to participate through
contributions, in the meritorious endeavors exerted toward the eventual
establishment of a Baha'i House of Worship in the City of Panama,
specifically mentioned by 'Abdu'l-Baha, situated in t