he Indian Baha'i community in these days
of stress and trial, is urgent, vast and sacred. The responsibilities they
shoulder are growing in number and complexity. The obstacles in their path
are numerous and seemingly insurmountable. The victories, however, which
they have won during the concluding years of the first Baha'i century,
augur well for the future, and constitute only a preliminary stage in the
great work they are destined to accomplish in the years that lie ahead. A
unity that is truly unshakable, a consecration to their task which no
trial or test can impair, a resolve that no force, however inimical, can
shake, a united and systematic endeavour to proclaim and firmly establish
their Faith which enemies neither from within nor from without can
undermine--all these are vitally required to enable them to achieve their
high destiny. To you as their national elected representatives I desire to
appeal in particular to exercise the utmost forbearance, care and
vigilance, to exert the utmost endeavour, to deliberate, cooperate and
carry out with exemplary vigour the necessary measures which the urgency
of the task and the criticalness of the hour imperatively demand. That
their glorious mission may be crowned with signal success is the object of
my constant and fervent prayers at the holy Shrine.

August 9, 1945

Shoulder Heavy Responsibilities

He was very sad to read of the sufferings of the beloved Burmese friends,
of the death of that bright star of the Faith, Siyyid Mustafa, and of the
murder of many other of the friends! At the same time his heart swelled
with pride when he saw that already the believers have re-assembled,
elected an Assembly, and started their school again. This shows how deep
their faith is, and presages a glorious future for the Cause there.

As you already know he has sent you a sum to be devoted to rebuilding the
Baha'i institutions, teaching the Faith, and assisting the friends who are
in desperate need. He has also invited other National Assemblies to
contribute to this fund, and thus assist your Assembly to carry out this
very important task of re-establishing a flourishing Community in Burma.

The Indian believers are finding themselves increasingly called upon to
shoulder heavy responsibilities; they are becoming more numerous, have
spread to many new centres, undertaken a large publishing program,
increased the number of their institutions, and are gradually becoming
k