their stability and future.

On one hand the remarkable revelations of the Beloved's Will and Testament
so amazing in all its aspects, so emphatic in its injunctions, have
challenged and perplexed the keenest minds, whilst the ever-increasing
confusion of the world, threatened as never before with disruptive forces,
fierce rivalries, fresh commotions and grave disorder, have well-nigh
overwhelmed the heart and damped the zeal of even the most enthusiastic
believers in the destiny of mankind.

And yet, how often we seem to forget the clear and repeated warnings of
our beloved Master, who in particular during the concluding years of his
mission on earth, laid stress on the severe mental tests that would
inevitably sweep over his loved ones of the West ... tests that would
purge, purify and prepare them for their noble mission in life.

And as to the world's evil plight, we need but recall the writings and
sayings of Baha'u'llah, who, more than fifty years ago, declared in terms
prophetic the prime cause of the ills and sufferings of mankind, and set
forth their true and divine remedy. "Should the lamp of Religion be
hidden", He declared, "chaos and confusion will ensue." How admirably
fitting and applicable are these words to the present state of mankind!

Ours then is the duty and privilege to labour, by day, by night, amidst
the storm and stress of these troublous days, that we may quicken the zeal
of our fellow-man, rekindle their hopes, stimulate their interests, open
their eyes to the true Faith of God and enlist their active support in the
carrying out of our common task for the peace and regeneration of the
world.

Let us take heart and be thankful to our beloved 'Abdu'l-Baha, as we
remember his manifold blessings and unfailing care and protection, ever
since the hour of his departure from our midst. The flames of sedition, so
maliciously kindled in the past by those who have dared to flout his will,
are gone out for ever, and the fondest hopes of these evil plotters are
now abandoned, doomed never to revive. He has indeed redeemed his promise!

It seemed not a long time ago that their agitation, so violently renewed
immediately after the passing of our Beloved, would for a time confuse the
Divine Message of Baha'u'llah, obscure His Covenant, retard the progress
of His Cause, and shatter its unity; and yet how well we see them all
today, not through our efforts, but by their own folly, and above all, by
the in