ms unmistakable
the nature of those prizes which, even in this world, such sterling
heroism is bound to win. "Whoso," Baha'u'llah, in a memorable passage,
extolling those of His loved ones who have "journeyed through the
countries in His Name and for His praise," has written, "hath attained
their presence will glory in their meeting, and all that dwell in every
land will be illumined by their memory."

I am moved, at this juncture, as I am reminded of the share which, ever
since the inception of the Faith in the West, the handmaidens of
Baha'u'llah, as distinguished from the men, have had in opening up,
single-handed, so many, such diversified, and widely scattered countries
over the whole surface of the globe, not only to pay a tribute to such
apostolic fervor as is truly reminiscent of those heroic men who were
responsible for the birth of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, but also to stress
the significance of such a preponderating share which the women of the
West have had and are having in the establishment of His Faith throughout
the whole world. "Among the miracles," 'Abdu'l-Baha Himself has testified,
"which distinguish this sacred Dispensation is this, that women have
evinced a greater boldness than men when enlisted in the ranks of the
Faith." So great and splendid a testimony applies in particular to the
West, and though it has received thus far abundant and convincing
confirmation must, as the years roll away, be further reinforced, as the
American believers usher in the most glorious phase of their teaching
activities under the Seven Year Plan. The "boldness" which, in the words
of 'Abdu'l-Baha, has characterized their accomplishments in the past must
suffer no eclipse as they stand on the threshold of still greater and
nobler accomplishments. Nay rather, it must, in the course of time and
throughout the length and breadth of the vast and virgin territories of
Latin America, be more convincingly demonstrated, and win for the beloved
Cause victories more stirring than any it has as yet achieved.

To the Baha'i youth of America, moreover, I feel a word should be
addressed in particular, as I survey the possibilities which a campaign of
such gigantic proportions has to offer to the eager and enterprising
spirit that so powerfully animates them in the service of the Cause of
Baha'u'llah. Though lacking in experience and faced with insufficient
resources, yet the adventurous spirit which they possess, and the vigor,
th