he
Arabian Peninsula.

Their solid achievements in recent years, the marvellous multiplication of
Baha'i Centres, the establishment of befitting national headquarters, the
remarkable impetus lent to the translation, publication and dissemination
of Baha'i Literature, embolden me to appeal to them, to undertake fresh
enterprises, ere the termination of the present Plan, and on however small
a scale, beyond the confines of India and Burma.

The greater the range of their collective enterprises, the mightier the
effusion of the Abha grace from on high, a grace that will sustain,
protect, guide and cheer them as they

tread the stormy yet glorious path of service for the furtherance of their
beloved Cause.

Let them, at this momentous stage of their historic labours, eliminate,
once and for all, every trace of inharmony from their midst, purge their
hearts from every lingering suspicion, prejudice and animosity, acquire a
clearer vision of the greatness of their Faith and the significance of
their mission, give heed to the urgent and tragic needs of the vast
multitudes of their disillusioned and sore-tried countrymen, now hungering
for the Bread of Life, and arise, as one man, to discharge their sacred
and inescapable responsibilities. The hour is propitious, the situation
critical, the Cause infinitely precious, the prize within reach and
inexpressibly glorious.

May 8, 1948

Old and Tried Community

The news that from Calcutta two souls have volunteered to go forth as
pioneers to Siam and Indonesia greatly pleased him. Likewise, he was
rejoiced to hear a pioneer for Ceylon has been found.

The Burmese, Indian and Pakistan Baha'is, forming as they do a relatively
old and tried Community of believers, have heavy responsibilities to
discharge. They cannot be looked upon as children or youngsters in this
great Cause, but rather must be considered more in the light of elders,
and consequently their Baha'i brothers and sisters expect great things of
them, and look to them for signs of leadership in that part of the world!
Therefore, the fulfilment of their Plan, and the sending forth of their
pioneers to neighbouring Asiatic countries, is of crucial importance in
maintaining their leadership in this field and their prestige in the
Baha'i world.

He was very glad to see your Assembly has not relaxed its efforts in the
matter of translating and publishing the Esslemont book. As you know, he
considers this a vi