ence; deriving fresh inspiration
and confidence from the amazing feat achieved, by the small band of its
brethren, in the West, and in a continent more devastated by the ravages
of war than any other continent of the globe; let this community, while
time still remains, gird up its loins, sink its differences, rededicate
itself to its urgent task, sweep away every barrier that confronts it, and
rise, with an upsurge of unprecedented enthusiasm and determination, to
those heights to which its spiritual destiny is now beckoning it.

With a heart, aglow with gratitude for what this community has in the
initial stage of its administrative development accomplished, filled with
confidence in the potentialities with which our beloved Master has endowed
it in the years of His earthly ministry, and overflowing with love for
those who, through their incessant labours and heroic self-sacrifice, have
achieved unforgettable victories in recent years, I will continue to
supplicate for all its members, at home and abroad, in their
administrative spheres of activity as well as in the teaching field such
blessings as will enable them to crown their concerted efforts with a
success that will resound throughout the Baha'i world.

November 6, 1949

Arcade of the Shrine

The past winter and spring have been very arduous months for our beloved
Guardian and very anxious ones. As you know, he has been pressing the work
on the arcade of the Shrine of the Bab in order to have it completed by
the Centenary of His martyrdom. As the arcade which fits about and
protects the Holy Tomb, built by our beloved Master, is considerably
larger than the original edifice, it has been necessary to excavate the
mountain immediately behind the Shrine, and this very difficult work was
carried out under the close and constant supervision of the Guardian
himself in order to ensure it was accomplished safely, quickly and
economically. This absorbed, for many months, his precious time and
energies. When this was accomplished he looked forward to turning his
attention to the various National Assembly letters piled up, but,
unfortunately, Mr. Maxwell, the architect of the Shrine, became
dangerously ill at the beginning of April, and is still in hospital. His
condition was so grave that for weeks our Guardian and household were
prevented from concentrating on the many tasks waiting to be attended to
owing to the constant anxiety, the coming and going of doctor